Previously on Brothers and Sisters...
Tahiri performed…
Season 2
Episode 4
Seems like everyone else has a love just for them
I don't mind; we have such a good time, my best friend
But sometimes, well I wish we could be more than friends
Tell me, do you know?
Tell me, do you know?
Oh
I get so breathless when you call me name
I've often wondered, do you feel the same?
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're all alone
So don't tell me you can't see what I'm thinking of
I can understand that you don't want to cross the line
And you know I can't promise you things will turn out fine
But I have to be honest: I want you to be mine
Tell me, do you know?
Tell me, do you know?
Oh
'Cause I've tried to do this right in your own time
I've been telling with my eyes my heart's on fire; why don't you realize?
Tell me, do you know?
Tell me, do you know?
I get so breathless when you call me name
I've often wondered, do you feel the same?
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're all alone
So don't tell me (don't you tell me) you can't see what I'm thinking of
Breathless/Anthony St. Aubyn Kelly / Mark Anthony Myrie / Stephen John Marsden
Jacen Solo's Apartment, Senate City, Coruscant
40 ABY
Ten Years After The Yuuzhan Vong War
Jaina looked at her chrono and thought she should head home, but Jacen's apartment was finally quiet and she really wanted to spend a little more time with him.
Tahiri was busy cleaning up in the kitchen, having rounded up the various food and drink containers left lying around from the impromptu party that had occurred when her band - who all seemed to know Jacen well - and the other Jedi had wound up in Jacen's sitting room.
Valin and Jysella had left fairly soon after arriving back here from the club, neither very happy with how their evening had gone. Jysella had seemed deflated after Kyp's abrupt departure; even the time she had spent closed up in the guest room alone withTahiri didn't seem to lift her spirits. And though Valin's Twi'lek twins had been very attentive all evening, neither had any interest in going home with him. Jaina had heard him whisper something to her brother about 'a waste of a night'.
Jacen returned from seeing Zekk, the last reveler, out and flopped down on the sofa and wrapped his arms around Jaina.
"So?"
Turning her face up to look at him she asked, "So… What?"
"Did you have a good time tonight?"
"I did actually. Tahiri is really amazing."
"Yeah, she is. She probably wouldn't mind hearing that from you though."
"Really?"
Jacen nodded.
"Did she say that?"
Jacen raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh." Jaina felt a twinge of guilt over the neglect to which she'd subjected their friend, but was then struck with a different thought. "Wait, I've never seen her perform; I couldn't have told her how good she was before…" Jaina let her sentence trail off and sighed.
They were both quiet while Jaina wondered how to redirect the conversation from her inadequacies as a friend to the topic of Jacen's feelings for Tahiri, because she was becoming increasingly more curious about that. She finally decided on a circuitous path; seeing if Jacen would give anything up.
"So, aside from her career, how is she doing?"
Shrugging he said, "Good, I guess."
"You guess?"
"We haven't talked much yet. She jumped straight into bed when she got here last night, then we were busy all day and she left for the club before I met you for dinner."
"But you talk to her all the time."
"Not as often as I'd like. Her schedule is even more hectic than mine. She let's me know when she's traveling so we can get together if we're within a few systems of each other. And I let her know when I'm going to be near Phelarion… in case kriff-head is out and we can hook up for a bit."
"You really don't like Tarkin, do you?"
Her brother smiled jovially. "I loathe the man, actually."
"How does Tahiri feel about that?"
He raked a hand through his hair and let out a deep sigh. "I'm reasonably sure she knows I'd rather see her with someone else…"
Jacen trailed off and glanced up over the top of Jaina's head as Tahiri walked into the sitting room. He pulled away from Jaina, his eyes and attention focused on Tahiri.
"All right, Master…" Tahiri began as she perched on the edge of the table in front of the twins. "Everything is clean and tidy."
"You didn't have to do all that," Jacen said as he smiled up at her.
"Nonsense. You trained me well at Happy House: I clean. Besides, if it weren't for me there wouldn't have been a party here or a mess, and I don't want to be an abusive guest."
"Guest? I'm offended that after all we've seen and done together over the years you would refer to yourself that way."
Jaina studied the interaction between them as Tahiri smiled; she especially watched the way Jacen's eyes shone as he looked at the other woman.
Though her initial reaction had been slight revulsion, she'd thought more about the possibility of Jacen and Tahiri as the night wore on, especially after Tahiri had thrown that kiss in his direction during the show. Now that the idea had been mulled over, Jaina decided it wasn't as unlikely as she had first thought; they actually had a tremendous amount in common. Between their training, their captivity and torture at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong, their issues with remaining or being Force users and Jedi, their grief over losing Anakin… Jaina shivered. An evening with the two of them had the potential to be a real downer.
"You okay?" Jacen asked.
Jaina realized they were both looking at her and worked quickly to cover, "Oh… yeah… just got a little chill."
"Let me get you a blanket," Tahiri said as she stood up and headed for a closet in the hall. A moment later she was back and leaning down to tuck the throw around Jaina. "I'm constantly begging Jace to turn up the heat…"
Jacen chuckled. "There are other ways to get warm besides turning the climate control up to the maximum setting."
Jaina watched Tahiri's face as she raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at Jacen. "So you've told me…"
If Jacen responded, Jaina didn't see or hear it, and Tahiri turned her focus to Jaina again and sat back as if to admire her handiwork.
"Thanks, that is better."
"Sure." Tahiri folded her hands in her lap and nodded her head slightly. When none of the three said anything for a minute Tahiri said, "well, I think I'll turn in. I've had a long day."
Realizing that if she was ever going to reconnect with her friend she had better get to it, Jaina asked, "How long are you on planet?"
"Four more days. I've got another couple of shows and some meetings to do."
"Where?"
"Here in the city. I like breaking up the tour by doing more stripped down shows in smaller venues. I like the intimacy, and it's a good break physically since I spend 3 hours a night running around like a maniac during the arena shows."
"And you're staying here the whole time?"
She nodded. "Jace swears he enjoys having me."
Jaina smiled. "I'm sure. Is there any time in your schedule for us to get together?"
The surprise was evident on Tahiri's face. "Sure. If you want. I'd love to."
Jaina felt a sense of joy and was glad she'd made the effort. "Great. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing another show. You've always impressed me but this evening was really something. Dad's shown me clips from some of your concerts and award show performances over the years, but they didn't compare to the real thing. And the music really is incredible."
The younger woman beamed and suddenly reminded Jaina of the little girl she had once been.
"The lyrics were beautiful too. How do you come up with them?"
Tahiri blushed slightly and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and shrugged her shoulder before returning her gaze to Jaina. The idea that Tahiri could strut around onstage with such confidence, performing and bantering with an audience of thousands and yet still be so humble about her talents was amazing.
"Various ways; sometimes a phrase will stick in my head or I'll be thinking about a situation… and that will replay in my mind. A few songs have been inspired by books I've read, holos I've seen. Sometimes the melody comes first and I have to go back through my journals to find words that fit the sound. Sometimes it comes from things I'd like to say and haven't."
"I especially loved the song for Anakin."
"I was really nervous about that one. I wrote it years ago but I used to get too emotional..." Sweeping her hand down and gesturing to herself, she added, "and weeping and covered in snot does not go with this dress." She grew serious again and finished with, "Jace finally convinced me to include it in this set."
"I'm glad he did. The whole audience was clearly moved. I know you used your own experiences to write it, but the emotion behind it is universal. After what we all went through during those years, I think the fact that a Jedi… or former Jedi, would openly express those feelings of loss and grief in a way so many of them could relate to really resonated."
"Thank you Jaina, that means a lot to me coming from you."
"Actually, I've been wanting to say something else to you for a while… I'm really sorry that I wasn't more supportive when you left the Order."
Jaina watched Tahiri's eyes grow wide with surprise and saw the quick glance she shot at Jacen.
"No, he didn't put me up to this, I really have been wanting to tell you this for awhile. I was already wrapped up in my own issues when you left, and then I reacted badly to you going to Csilla. And then I wasn't paying very close attention to what you were going through with the others. I should have been more vocal in defending you. I wasn't a very good friend, but I hope you'll forgive me."
Tahiri bit her lower lip and again looked down at her clasped hands. Jaina watched as she picked at a well manicured nail for a moment and then sighed deeply before looking back up.
"Thank you. I appreciate you saying this, I really do. I knew when I left the Order that some would have an issue with it, I expected that. I didn't expect how big an issue it would be…"
Jaina leaned forward and placed her hands on Tahiri's. "They were wrong. Maybe one day they'll see it, maybe not. The important thing is that you know why you had to change your life and that you're happy with your choices."
There was a tinge of sadness in the smile Tahiri gave her, then she tipped her head slightly. "That is what I strive for." Her eyes flicked to Jacen again before focusing back on Jaina and squeezing her hands. "And really, thank you." Stifling a yawn, she continued, "Sorry, doing shows really takes a lot out of me, I'm exhausted."
"Will you comm me tomorrow and let me know when I can see you again?" Tilting her head she said, "he knows my schedule and where to find me."
"Yeah… I will." Jaina sat back as Tahiri turned her body slightly and focused on Jacen. "Can I take you to breakfast in the morning?"
"What? No breakfast brought to me in bed, in appreciation of my hospitality?"
"And leave myself open to being mocked if the smoke sensors go off?"
"Again." Jacen chuckled.
Tahiri rolled her eyes. "You're such an ass sometimes."
"So you've told me. Recently in fact."
Jaina turned to Jacen and tried to keep a straight face when she said, "Let her treat you to breakfast… you'd have to get out of bed to deal with the flames anyway," but couldn't hold it when Jacen threw his head back and laughed. Tahiri's history of destroying food... crockery... whole kitchens, was legendary, and a popular topic of jokes in the Solo family.
"Wow Jaina, I'd almost forgotten how kriffing comedic you could be. And I seem to recall you," here Tahiri poked Jacen's leg, "telling me, recently in fact, that if I truly cared about you I'd never ask you to eat anything I cooked again."
"Breakfast out is sounding more appealing by the second."
Tahiri shook her head, then stood up and cupped Jacen's cheek, giving it a gentle pat before she turned to walk away. "I am not setting an alarm, so it's up to you to get me out of bed."
"And what time would you like your wake up call, Princess?"
Triggering the sensor to the guest room door, Tahiri looked over her shoulder and said, "As soon as you're hungry, Master."
Jacen chuckled.
"Night, Jaina." Tahiri called as she disappeared.
"Goodnight."
The Solos were silent again until Jaina said, "I don't remember her being so flirty."
"Was she being flirty?"
Jaina knew by Jacen's laugh that her look conveyed her disbelief at his remark.
"Thank you. Even you aren't that oblivious."
"It's working for her though. She has the whole galaxy eating out of the palm of her hand."
"What about you?"
"Yeah… it has been a long day. I should probably kick you out; I'd like to get to bed too."
Jaina studied Jacen for a moment, trying to figure out if he had genuinely misunderstood what she had asked or was simply pretending. Either way, she reasoned, he clearly wasn't going to say anything about Tahiri so she might as well give it up... for now.
"I guess I'll let you go then. Wouldn't want you to miss out on your beauty sleep; you need as much as you can get after all."
"And people say I'm not funny?" Jacen stood up and reached for Jaina's hand. When she lifted it to him he pulled her to her feet and began to lead her to the door. "Do you want me to walk you home?"
"You're joking right?"
"Hey, you're my sister, I have to offer."
"Older sister."
"Minutes older, and only because I was beating your ass down in utero, inadvertently causing you to fall out first."
Jaina snorted, then continued. "And I'm a well armed Jedi who lives five minutes away. I think I'll be ok, but thanks for the offer."
"Any time."
They were just reaching the door when Jaina decided to give it one last try.
"You're sure you're okay with Tahiri here? You can handle the intrusion on your space?"
He smiled at her. "Yeah, I can handle Tahiri. I wasn't just being polite when I said I enjoy having her."
Jaina gave him a suspicious look but Jacen was shielding and looking totally oblivious to her inquiring expression so she decided to leave it again.
"Alright. I guess I'll talk to you later then."
She had barely started down the hall toward the lift when Jacen called, "Bye, Jaina. Talk to you tomorrow, " As he closed the door behind her.
Jacen turned back into the apartment to find Tahiri standing in the middle of the sitting room, still wearing the stunning new dress.
Walking towards her he said, "I thought you were exhausted," and his heart quickened as Tahiri raised an eyebrow.
"It's the strangest thing… I suddenly got a second wind. I'm wide awake and have tons of energy… not quite sure what to do with myself."
He stopped when there was still half a meter between them and looked down into her twinkling emerald eyes. Her perfect lips curled into a sly grin as she stepped forward.
"Do you have any suggestions, Master?"
"Always," he breathed out as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her body into his. When Tahiri ran her hands from his elbows to his shoulders he leaned down to place his lips against hers. He moved one hand up to cup her face as he continued to kiss her, then rested his forehead against hers.
"Hello."
"Hello." Tahiri whispered as she ran her hands up to Jacen's neck and head, pulling him down and kissing him deeply.
"Fantastic show, Angel."
"Thank you."
"Have I told you today… how very… very sexy you are?"
"You might have… hmmm…"
Jacen was delighted by her inability to get her sentence out as he nibbled on her neck before tilting her head back, giving him enough room to lay a trail of tiny kisses down her throat.
"…mentioned it this… afternoon in the… shower."
Tahiri straightened and opened her mouth to Jacen and allowed his tongue to gently caress hers for a moment and sighed when he went back to work on her throat.
"Or was it… this morning… causing me to... burn breakfast?"
Jacen lost his focus on her neck and leaned his head into her shoulder as he laughed. "So we're blaming me for your latest culinary fail?" He laughed again when she pinched him, then straightened and cupped her cheek. He pressed his lips to her forehead, then looked into her eyes and said, "No words can adequately convey how much I love that you tried to cook for me..."
"Kriff, you are such an ass sometimes…"
"...but we both know that would have been a disaster even if I hadn't distracted you."
"Stop gloating because you're skilled in the kitchen and I'm not."
"I have never said you weren't skilled in the kitchen."
Tahiri snorted. "Just keep me away from the cooker..." She brought her arms down and grabbed the hem of his shirt, pulled it up and over his head, then flung it over her shoulder. "Thank the stars I have other qualities you find appealing."
Jacen felt a shiver rush through him as she raked her nails down his ribs. "So many," then leaned down to kiss her again. "Your lips… the way you clean a house… the sound of your laugh… the way you fling clothing over your shoulder... the way your eyes sparkle when you're happy… the way you call me Master…"
"A well deserved title."
"While I do love to hear that… I really liked Prince of Pleasure."
Jacen laughed again and grabbed her wrists when she groaned and tried to slap his arms.
"Arrogant ass…"
He pinned both her hands to his chest with one of his, then wrapped his other arm around her to pull her back into him and went back to work on her neck. He waited until she began panting to whisper, "Human Supernova was also good."
She twisted her hands in his grip and tried to pinch his chest.
"Supreme Lord of Orgasisms is very high on the list as well."
Tahiri moaned when he slid a hand lower on her back down and pulled her tighter, but still found enough breath to complain. "Not fair... to tease... with stuff I say... after you've made me… cum until I'm retarded."
Jacen smiled against her throat. "Kriff God Yes is my all time favorite though. Doesn't that title come with a shrine?"
"It's just been downgraded to an altar... a small altar… and it may go away altogether as punishment for your arrogance. Unless of course… you can satisfactorily demonstrate your powers again… it has been a while after all..."
"A while? Is that what we're calling twelve hours now?"
"Yes… because that's about eleven... and a half hours too long... to keep your angel waiting."
She tangled her fingers into his hair and pulled his head down, kissing him hungrily. She returned the favor he had just bestowed on her throat, placing kisses down toward his collarbone before reaching up and placing more along his jaw in a line up toward his ear. He began to moan softly as she nibbled on the lobe, clearly mimicking the actions he had taken only moments ago.
In a shaky voice Jacen whispered, "I think you've managed to wake up those hormones you were talking about."
"Making me the lucky girl."
"I may be getting the better end of this deal."
She rubbed the tip of her nose against his for a moment and then said, "You really should ignore Jaina about your need for beauty sleep."
He smiled and whispered, "beee… cause?"
"Beee… cause…" she said, as she cupped his face again and looked into his eyes, "if you were any more beautiful, it would be painful..." she bit her lower lip as she snickered before finishing with, "to look upon you," before popping up onto her toes and licking the tip of his nose, as she laughed.
Jacen laughed with her and said, "So if I don't need beauty sleep… does that mean you wouldn't be opposed to the idea of me staying up til dawn so I can ravage you until we're both retarded, glued together by sweat and cum, and need IV fluids?"
"What do you think I've spent the last eleven and a half hours fantasizing about?"
"Your ability to compliment me and mock me simultaneously is truly impressive."
"Your pride and arrogance have given me ample opportunity to hone that skill. But let's focus on what's really important right now."
"Making sure you cum until you're retarded?"
"It's almost like you read my mind."
"No Angel, I just know you."
"But can you handle me?"
Jacen gently bit her lower lip before answering. "Heard that too, did you?" He pulled his mouth from hers and began to again trace a trail down her throat, stopping between kisses to lick and nibble the skin while sliding his hands from her waist to the small of her back, needing to pull her even closer. "Don't worry, I've got a shrine to earn back. I plan to show you just how capable I am of handling you, until dawn in fact."
Tahiri tipped his head back up to look into his eyes again. "Promise?"
Jacen's breath caught and he bit down on the words he wanted to say, because any talk of promises in a more serious context would spoil the moment.
"Yes, my angel," he finally whispered, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead back into hers. "I promise."
He swallowed hard when Tahiri ran her thumb lightly over his cheekbone; knew she was working to ignore what they'd almost done, but after so many years of this it was becoming increasingly more difficult to skirt the proverbial 'bantha in the corner'. Finally, looking into her eyes again, Jason smiled, hoping that none of the sadness and frustration he felt was showing.
Her expression was both seductive and earnest as she whispered, "And what can I do to make my favorite god happy?"
Jacen began to walk her backwards, guiding her towards their bedroom, never taking his eyes off of hers, or his hands off her hips.
"Sing for me."
Tahiri lay facing the large window, watching the sun rise. The faint blue and pink glow that had just begun to illuminate the room as they'd crawled back into bed was now a brighter orange. Jacen was spooned behind her, one arm under her head, the other draped over her body. She'd thought he'd drifted off to sleep until she felt him nudge her head with his nose then kiss her hair as he lifted his hand and called the room controller on her bedside table to himself.
She didn't need to be looking at him to know that his eyes were closed while he held his arm in the air and used his thumb to push buttons on the remote. He turned up the opacity on the windows to darken the room, adjusted the climate setting so she wouldn't be cold when she kicked off the covers, activated the security system, then lowered his arm and dropped the controller.
Tahiri smiled as she used the Force to grab the remote when he missed the table, as he did every night.
New apartment, new furniture, same Jacen.
He'd been hard enough on the remotes when they'd had carpet, she couldn't imagine what the damage would be like now that they had hardwood floors. She added replacement remotes to the mental shopping list she had going for this place but decided she wouldn't tell him. She'd wait until he commented, somewhat mystified, about the controller inexplicably falling off the table every night, coincidently only when she wasn't there, and that it was no longer working. When she was done laughing she'd tell him where to find a spare.
Tahiri again thought he'd drifted off until he said, "You need to sleep, Angel."
"I know… my body wants to, but my brain's not cooperating."
"If you'd only listen to me…"
"Don't start…" she sighed, but Jacen kept going as though she hadn't spoken.
"...about skipping the shower and changing the sheets... you'd have fallen asleep while you were still to retarded to think anything but 'Kriff… God… Yes'."
"If only you could make me so retarded I forget my aversion to waking up naked and sticky, covered in bodily fluids on sweat soaked sheets."
He chuckled. "Not for lack of trying."
"I'll give you that. But alas, not good enough."
"Note to self: seriously research new ways…" he pulled her closer. "...to make my angel cum…" and nipped at her neck, "until she's too retarded to think at all."
"Mmmm… note to self: add saline bags to my shopping list in anticipation." Then she grew serious. "Though do me a favor; if you do find something we haven't already tried, don't tell me where you got the idea."
Jacen laughed at that, then squeezed her. "So if Valin..."
"No!" She shrieked as he laughed harder.
"Or Cem…"
"Lalalalala…"
"Or Jag…"
"Stop talking."
"Because you thought they were virgins?"
She reached around to slap his leg. "I've heard enough from Val to know that he wouldn't have anything new to teach you. And while I'm well aware that the boys have sex, I really don't need any details."
"As a man with a sibling… point to you." They were quiet for a moment until Jacen asked, "Do I want to know what your brain's so focused on that you couldn't fall asleep?"
"Jaina."
"Speaking of siblings…" Jacen chuckled again as he lazily ran his hand from her chest to her belly and slid his fingers under the hem of her tank top while he kissed her shoulder. "I guess after what I just spent the last few hours doing to you I'd rather you think about my sister than any other member of my family; though I'd prefer you just think about me."
Tahiri rolled over in his arms and then pushed on top of him, pinning him to the bed, trying desperately to seem disapproving. "Didn't I just tell you to stop talking?"
He looked up with a big stupid grin before laughing. "You did indeed, and the wait is killing me; what's my punishment going to be for that grossly inappropriate comment?"
"Your punishment,"she began with as much fierceness as she could put into her voice, "Is… I'm going to withhold for the next hour."
Jacen's eyes widened. "An entire hour? That's harsh."
"I know, I know. But given the crime, you're lucky it's not worse."
He reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, then placed his hands on her hips and said, "Yeah, I am lucky."
Tahiri fought to keep her smile in place. It was times like these, when Jacen was the most tender, that she felt the most guilt about what she was doing to him. She didn't need the Force to feel the pain he endured every time she left him to return to Tarkin.
"And why were you thinking about my sister?"
"Three reasons actually," Tahiri said as she slid off him. She put her elbow down on the bed and rested her head on her hand as she placed her other hand on Jacen's chest. He grabbed her knee and pulled her leg over his hips, then began gliding his hand back and forth along her thigh.
"First, I was wondering if she really did like the show."
He yawned widely then said, "She loved it, said she was astounded, and that she always knew you were talented but was nonetheless blown away." He kissed her forehead. "Of course I've known how talented you are for years."
"In the blowing away department anyway."
"You know, it's been so long since we've pulled an all-nighter, I'd forgotten how witty you are at dawn. I should keep you up this late more often."
"Yes, please." Tahiri leaned down and gently bit and licked Jacen's chest.
"Mmmmm… has my sentence been commuted?"
She scraped her teeth and tongue along his skin as she worked her way higher, then whispered into his ear, "As a matter of fact…" before pulling back and smiling. "No, it has not."
"You are an evil tease."
"What were we talking about?"
"I'm pretty sure we were talking about what an evil tease you are."
"Oh yeah, your sister."
"Evil, with a capital 'E'."
Tahiri giggled and then continued talking. "Second, did you see Jag tonight?"
That sobered Jacen up and he let out a long breath then said, "No. With Jaina being a part of the plan I knew meeting up with him wasn't an option. I assumed he'd be there though. He is your second biggest fan."
"Right behind that Quarren I had to get the restraining order against?"
They both laughed.
"I was referring to myself… Kriff, I haven't thought about the Quarren in ages. Remember when he caught us in the back room of that club on Thaltron?"
"I think that's the only time in my life I've condoned the use of a Force memory wipe."
"Condoned?" Jacen asked incredulously, "you ordered me to do it!"
She bit her lip as she laughed and laid her head on Jacen's shoulder. "Yeah, well... it's not like we had a choice. Anyway, Jag came to my dressing room after you guys left."
"Predictable. Was Noya with him?"
"No, he left her upstairs."
Jacen was thoughtful for a moment then said, "He's still trying to avoid introducing his future wife to the 'love of his life'."
"You think he's still not over her?"
"Oh, he's over her, he just hasn't figured that out yet. Cem and I thought for sure that once they saw each other again he would let go of whatever was still hanging him up... I've been playing slingball with him and Dad and Wedge a couple times a week; whenever Jaina's name comes up he still ignores it."
"You two have engaged in a years long game of pretending she doesn't exist. Maybe he's just so used to being that way with you that he's forgotten how to be any other way. And Cemmie says Jag's not talking to him about it either. Which means I'm still the only one, and he doesn't even say much to me anymore."
Tahiri propped her head back up and studied Jacen, who was clearly mulling over what she had just said. She loved that he felt things so deeply and was so sensitive, but she wished in this case he wasn't. Though he had never said anything to either of them, Jag and Jaina's breakup had been very hard for him, and Tahiri was eternally grateful that Jag was Jag; that he had never said or done anything to put Jacen in the middle. But Jacen was no fool and was much more adept at reading people than a lot of their friends gave him credit for. A fact that Tahiri spent a lot of time trying desperately to ignore.
He finally turned his head to face her, "No, they have not resolved what's hanging both of them up about each other, but what can be done about that, I don't know. And the whole family has been reporting to Jaina every time any one of them talks to or sees Jag. If they don't dial it back she's gonna blow soon."
Tahiri was horrified. "You don't think they're trying in some misguided way to get them back together do you?"
"If they are, then they're all much more kriffed up than I realized. I mean, how big a cluster kriff would that be? And with the wedding only a few months away? Not to mention that as much as I love my sister, I wouldn't wish her on him again. I know everyone likes to go on about how she wasn't ready for a relationship and she needed to grow up, but come on. We all went through a lot during the war; that doesn't excuse how she treated Jag."
Tahiri smiled at Jacen and then chuckled when he saw her smile and rolled his eyes.
"Sorry, I'm ranting again."
"That's okay. You know I adore how protective you are of Jag, and you know I feel the same way about Jaina; I love her and I want to strangle her. Though I'm leaning more towards the love tonight after she said what she did."
Jacen lifted a hand to stroke her cheek. "In case you didn't catch my surprise, no; I did not put her up to it."
Tahiri smiled. "I know. And Jag really needs to come clean with Noya."
"Yeah…" Jacen sighed, "about that, thank you for not beating my ass for helping him out at the Hapan party. For the record; I did it for her sake, not his."
"I assumed as much." She leaned over and placed her lips against his, then said, "Don't even ask," as she pulled back and moved his arm so she could tuck herself into his side. "You're still in timeout. That was for Noya… and because your unfailing kindness is incredibly sexy."
"Oh? Sexy enough for another shrine?"
Tahiri snorted. "Not kriffin' likely. As big as our beds are, there's still barely enough room for me to squeeze in beside your ego. Two monuments would make you insufferable."
"Are you implying that it's wrong to take pride in my god-like ability to consistently bring you mind blowing pleasure?"
Tahiri lifted her head and raised an eyebrow at him, which started him laughing. "I'm not implying anything Jacen, I'm stating definitively - again - that how smug you are about your 'god-like ability to consistently bring me mind blowing pleasure' can be annoying. Almost as annoying, in fact, as your little ploy to distract me from cooking this morning. Did you really think that once my brain rebooted I wouldn't realize that you timed all that so you could throw out what I made and make breakfast yourself."
"Oh c'mon…" It took him a second to stop laughing enough to keep going, "you can not be annoyed at me for that. You got your mind blown and I didn't have to eat charred eggs to prove my devotion to you. It was a win for both of us."
"My cooking isn't that bad."
Jacen stroked her head tenderly and whispered, "oh my sweet angel... it is. It really is."
Tahiri rolled her eyes as she lay her head back down on his shoulder. "You are such an ass sometimes."
He chuckled and squeezed her to his chest. "So you've told me."
They were quiet for a bit, Jacen ghosting his fingertips up and down her back, trying to help her relax. Finally he said, "You were right about these sheets."
She smiled and sang, "Told ya so."
"Yeah, yeah. As much as I hate encouraging your shopping habit by admitting this, these are noticeably softer than the old ones."
"When are you going to accept that when it comes to textiles I'm the authority?"
"As long as we agree that I'm the authority on dressing you, I'll let you have that title."
She rubbed her head into his neck and said, "You do have an undeniable talent for buying me lingerie, and I love my dress. Thank you."
He kissed her head and said, "You looked even more amazing in it than I pictured."
Tahiri felt a surge of emotion, and was glad when Jacen shifted the conversation back to shopping.
"Am I wrong in assuming you predicted my concession and already ordered more sheets?"
Tahiri snuggled deeper into him as he resumed trailing his fingers up and down her spine, and was relieved to finally start to feel sleep coming on. "Only two sets," she said through a yawn. "In white. I wanted to get a feel for the place and hear your ideas before I went crazy. If we end up deciding on different colors for here we can send these to the cottage."
"You know I'm only teasing, right? About the shopping? And I love everything you've already bought for here."
She nodded her head and turned enough to kiss his chest. "I know."
"So, what was the third reason you were thinking about Jaina?"
"I'm afraid she suspects something."
Tahiri felt Jacen's good humor evaporate as he sighed. "How did I know you were going to say that?"
"Did you read my mind, Master?"
"No, Angel… I just know you."
The pain in Jacen's voice and presence made her chest ache, but she tried to ignore it as she concentrated on slowing her breathing and calming her mind, willing herself to find sleep, or at least make him believe that she finally had. When Jacen spoke again, Tahiri remained quiet and perfectly still, silently wishing away the tears that, had they fallen, would have started a conversation she didn't want to have.
"Remind me again; why are we not telling anyone about us?"
Next time on Fear and Love…
Jacen and Jaina take a walk… and talk...
Thankfully they don't need to chew any gum…