Previously on Aggressive Negotiators...
Jag and Jaina had a really bad break-up…
And they're surrounded by busy-body kriffers…
Season 3
Episode 1
You're dangerous 'cause you're honest
You're dangerous, you don't know what you want
Well you left my heart empty as a vacant lot
For any spirit to haunt
Hey hey sha la la
Hey hey
You're an accident waiting to happen
You're a piece of glass left in a beach
Well, you tell me things I know you're not supposed to
Then you leave me just out of reach
Hey hey sha la la
Hey hey sha la la
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna fall at the foot of thee?
Well you stole it 'cause I needed the cash
And you killed it 'cause I wanted revenge
Well you lied to me 'cause I asked you to
Baby, can we still be friends?
Hey hey sha la la
Hey hey sha la la
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna fall at the foot of thee?
Oh, the deeper I spin
Oh, the hunter will sin for your ivory skin
Took a drive in the dirty rain
To a place where the wind calls your name
Under the trees the river laughing at you and me
Hallelujah, heavens white rose
The doors you open
I just can't close
Don't turn around, don't turn around again
Don't turn around, your gypsy heart
Don't turn around, don't turn around again
Don't turn around, and don't look back
Come on now love, don't you look back!
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna taste your salt water kisses?
Who's gonna take the place of me?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna tame the heart of thee?
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?/Clayton, Hewson, Mullen, The Edge
Offices of the Chiss Ambassador to the GFFA
Senate City, Coruscant
40 ABY
10 Years After The Yuuzhan Vong War
Jaina was more than impressed with Jag's performance. He was smart, thoughtful, and never lost his patience. She could easily see how he had gained so much respect as a diplomat.
They were the only humans participating in these negotiations, yet at first Jag tried to maintain some distance from her. However, the stress of the proceedings and the sheer weight of their importance, coupled with the difficulty in dealing with the alien personality quirks, must have worn down his resolve, because he had finally started talking to her. At first, it was just polite small talk during breaks. He asked about her family, some of the Jedi they both knew. She, in turn, inquired about the Fels. They were brief exchanges, but less hostile and cold than their first attempts at conversation.
On the second day, he asked her opinion about a particular point of the charter which led to an in depth discussion on the finer points of limiting caraboose hunting in the northern hemisphere of Toola. The interaction progressed in a professional manner until they were both forced to admit that neither of them had the faintest idea what they were talking about and it probably had nothing to do with the charter point they had originally started discussing anyway.
Finally, on the third day, the representative of Lianna said something that, in his culture, was most likely flattering, but to most humans a faux pas. Jag sat back in his chair, leaned slightly to his right and whispered, "Did he just say what I think he said?"
Jaina tried to hide her smile and said, "Yeah, I think he did."
"Did he mean to say what he just said?"
"No, I don't think that he did."
"Good. Otherwise some of our charter objectives would take on all new meanings."
He then stunned Jaina by turning further in her direction and gracing her with a smile. Not one of his usual, barely there and you'd only see it if you really, really knew him smiles, but a large beautiful smile that reached his eyes and offered a hint of the mischief few knew he was capable of. It took all of her Jedi calm to not fall out of her chair. Though, as much as she was grateful for the gesture, she felt a wave of sadness at the wasted time when they were not on speaking terms.
Several hours later, Jaina and Jag were standing up from the table as all the other beings were filing out of the conference room adjacent to Jag's office. The meeting had lasted late into the evening; the participants opting to have the evening meal brought in and continue with the session in hopes of finishing the talks and not having to return the following day.
"Well, Jedi Solo, I think that actually went remarkably well."
They entered his office, but neither chose to sit in the dark brown nerfhide chairs that filled the space in front of the massive desk. Jaina noted that the dimensions and furnishings were large, solid and handsome.
"I agree."
"And I should add," Jag continued, "that you were an amazing help. You've become quite the diplomat."
"What? I wasn't diplomatic before?"
"In a word? No."
Jaina smiled and maintained eye contact, "What can I say, I needed to grow up a little."
The weight of that statement was not lost on either of them.
"I understand. I really, finally do. And it's been a real pleasure working with you through this."
Jaina's breath caught and she nodded before turning away from Jag to look out the window, not wanting him to see the tears welling in her eyes at the much yearned for, but unexpected praise. It seemed amazing, but he could still surprise her.
Jag was busy behind her, but she didn't know what he was doing until he drew up and offered her a glass half filled with a beautiful amethyst fluid. Jag had another in his other hand and raised his to her in a toast. "To future successful diplomatic endeavors."
She nodded, raised her own glass, then took a sip. They looked at each other for a long moment before turning back to look out the window.
"This is good. What is it? I think I've had it before."
Jag smiled. "Yes, you have. Mon Calamari Brindelay. Your favorite brand and year even. It was a life day gift from Wedge and Iella.
"Ah, yes. Brindelay. How could I forget?"
"I'm still impressed that you ever remembered. That was one hell of a performance. I don't think I've ever seen a woman drink a Tunroth that big under the table."
Jaina laughed, remembering, sort of, the night they were talking about.
They had spent the afternoon at a beach bar on some far flung tropical planet drinking and watching the first galactic shockball finals since the war had ended. For some time an obnoxious patron had been mouthing off about his team and homeworld being superior to that of the opponent: Corellia. Jaina, the already somewhat tipsy daughter of a proud Corellian, challenged him to an endurance test. Two hours later Corellia was the victor, the Tunroth was face down on the floor, and Jag was a whole lot richer for having taken bets with many who thought his girlfriend was crazy.
When Jaina had halfheartedly scolded him the next day for taking the poor unsuspecting beings' credits he explained that he hadn't started the betting, in fact he had begged the other patrons to let him pass, figuring that since he knew that his girlfriend was not only crazy but incredibly stubborn, and a Jedi, that he had an unfair advantage. But all they saw was a very petite human woman going head to head against a Tunroth in a drinking contest and they wanted a piece of the action. It would have been seen as an affront by Jag, he reasoned, to not engage the other betters. It wasn't his fault they were taking a sucker's bet.
"Did you enjoy Tahiri's show?"
Jaina turned to him and smiled again, slightly surprised that he brought it up.
"Yes, I did. I'd never seen her on stage before."
"I know. She's very talented. Even after seeing hundreds of performances I'm always impressed."
Jaina was puzzled for just a second before remembering that of course Jag would have seen hundreds of Tahiri's shows; she was his 'sister'. More so than she'd ever really been Jaina's. "Right. I sometimes forget that your family took her in when she left the Order."
Jag nodded as he swallowed a mouth full of Brindelay. "Yes. And I was pleasantly surprised when she started playing her stuff and I actually liked it. I'd been dreading having to pretend that it was good. I'm sure you can imagine my relief when I didn't have to lie to a Jedi, former or active."
Jag walked over to what turned out to be a music consul and pressed a few buttons. Tahiri's voice began to purr a song out of hidden speakers as Jag returned to Jaina's side.
"This is my new favorite. It hasn't been released yet, so consider yourself privileged that you're hearing it now."
Daylight comes, daylight comes
and you've gotta go
Breaks my heart, breaks my heart
to have to watch you go
Wish I knew, wish I knew
when you'll be back again
However long, it's just too long
until we meet again
"Jacen's told me about your family falling in love with her during her time with them on Csilla."
"Indeed, we all adore her. In fact the parentals would legally adopt her in a second."
Smiling at the idea, Jaina said, "Truth be told, I'm pretty sure that my mother is a little jealous of your mother."
"Why?"
"I think that Mom would have loved to have had a daughter that was more feminine than I was, one that she could have passed on all her princess training to. The Tahiri she got was not the Tahiri your mother bonded with. Plus, Mom gave Tahiri a really hard time about leaving the Order, not realizing what this meant to her, and then Tahiri went off and is having a mother/daughter experience with another woman that my mom would have loved to have had with her."
"I suppose I can see that. I guess it never occurred to me that having the relationship she has with our mother would preclude her from continuing her relationship with yours."
Jag's protective tone made Jaina suddenly feel very awkward. This was not quite coming out how she had intended.
"I don't mean that Tahiri can't have both, or doesn't want both, what I meant is that I suspect that I am not all that my mother wished I was; Tahiri is closer. Now anyway. Yet when Tahiri suddenly became very girly, my mother wasn't able to enjoy it. Syal did."
"So this is about you? Not Tahiri?"
That stung, but given her past, Jaina supposed she either deserved the remark…or was imagining the intent.
"That wasn't really what I meant either. I was just making an observation."
"Okay. I guess I never looked at it like that. I always saw it as a situation where a wonderful young woman who's been through so much was lucky enough to find two families who love her and consider her one of their own. I just find it sad that she needed to turn her lightsaber in for a microphone to finally find out what she meant to people."
"I really did enjoy spending time with her when she was here, and I do hope she's happy. And thankfully we're not desperate for first string knights for missions these days."
"That first string would be you and Jacen, and you and Lowie, and Zekk and you, and you and Tesar, right?"
"You're funny."
Jag closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled.
"Shh… this is another good one, also brand new. It's going to be a huge hit, I think."
Using your mind
Imagine my skin
Joined at the hip
Joined from within
By using your eyes
You're freezing my frame
Watching our clothes
Burst into flames
Undress me now
You know how
Using your eyes now
Undress me now
You know how
Using your mind
using your mind
So give me a light
Or give me a drink
Just give me reason
To feel what I think
"That's beautiful."
"Hmmm. I love the way she plays with words."
Undress me now
You know how
Using your eyes now
Undress me now
You know how
Using your mind
I'm losing my mind
"But you were saying… about missions?"
Jaina listened to the last strains of the melody before answering. "Oh… ah, I won't be taking that many anymore… my first obligation is to the liaison office."
Jag raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"I don't even remember when I last ignited my lightsaber. I tried using it to open parchment mail, but Mom got cranky when I handed her singed correspondence to read."
Jag was still laughing when the music faded out completely only to begin again a moment later. This time it was the song Tahiri had written for Anakin.
"I'm glad Jacen finally convinced her to release this one," Jag said.
"Yeah, it's beautiful. I wish I had been prepared though. I cried like a baby when I heard it."
"I can imagine."
They made small talk for a short time longer, again back to safe topics, until the familiar strains of a song Jaina remembered well began to play.
Come on closer
I wanna show you
What I'd like to do
You sit back now
Just relax now
I'll take care of you
"Ah." Jaina said. "The song."
"Yeah, it does tend to get the party started…"
"Spoken like a man"
Jaina tried to bury her surprise as Jag leaned slightly closer and looked into her eyes.
"Are you implying that we have one track minds?"
"Maybe two tracks," she breathed.
She fought down the trembling sensation in the pit of her stomach at the closeness of his body; then gave up battle and inhaled sharply as the backs of Jag's fingers moved slowly up to caress her cheek.
"You're even more beautiful than I remember," He whispered.
She watched his face move closer to her own, shocked that he was doing this. When their lips gently came together, Jaina felt like a deathblow had just been delivered to the cracked dam that had been holding her emotions in check. She fell into him immediately, instinctively, deepening the kiss, allowing the passion and longing for Jag that she had kept pent up for years to pour out.
In a swift move she remembered from their past, Jag turned her around and, none too gently lifted her body, seating her on the back of the couch behind them, before wedging himself between her legs. She threw her head back and gasped at the feel of being pressed so intimately to him again.
His right hand cradled the back of her neck, tilting her head so he could devour her lips. His left hand slipped under the lightweight fabric of her skirt, and traveled slowly from her knee, up her outer thigh to the back of her hip, leaving a trail of burning skin behind as he pulled her forward to meet his body. She ran her hand from his shoulder down his arm and brought it to rest on his elbow and pulled on it, guiding his arm in its motion.
When Jag finally pulled away from Jaina's lips it was only to whisper in her ear.
"I've missed you so much."
He set his glass down, took her and set it down too, then returned to the task at hand, laying a trail of kisses down her neck from just below her earlobe to her collar bone, hitting all the points that drove her crazy; as though years hadn't passed since the last time he touched her like this. Jaina leaned back further exposing herself to him, holding him tightly, making sure he didn't stop.
In the dim recesses of her mind, she wondered how she had given this up. How had she walked away from this absolute devotion and passion and love? Some people spent their whole lives looking for this and never found it. But she had found it at eighteen, in the middle of a war, while grieving for both her brothers, and simply could not cope with it. Despite the years of support and patience Jag had given her, she had turned her back on him because she had needed time to finish growing up and deal with all the things the war had done to her. Yet here, now, in his arms, she'd be damned if she knew what it was that she had needed other than Jag.
"Oh, Jag, I've missed you too. I'm so sorry for leaving; I never meant to hurt you."
Almost as soon as the words were out, she sensed a deflation in him. His hold on her body was no less firm, and though his face was still pressed into the crook of her neck, he was no longer kissing her.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Jag whispered. "I can't do this. She loves me so much. I can't do this to her."
Jaina held him to her body, gently stroking his head. She nodded, silently telling him that she had heard what he said, but couldn't find her voice to say it.
"We're getting married in four months. This would devastate her. All she does is love me and try to make me happy."
"I know," Jaina whispered, "It's okay, I understand."
She felt Jag begin to slip to the floor, but she didn't release her hold on him, simply slid right along with him. She sat down, back to the couch and legs out in front of her with Jag's head cradled against her shoulder as she tried to figure out what had just happened, and what hadn't.
He continued to breathe heavily and Jaina continued to sooth him by running her hand over his head and shushing him like she would an upset child. All the while silent tears ran down her own face as the realization set in that she had come back too late. She had truly lost him.
When Jag opened his eyes it took him a moment to get his bearings. He was on the floor of his office; asleep? It was night, the lights were dim and he could see two glasses on the edge of his desk a meter away. Two glasses… one was for him and the other one had been… Jaina's.
Oh gods, where was Jaina?
Jag groaned and sat up, looking around. He caught sight of her out on the balcony and was flooded with relief. She was still here and he could still talk to her. But what was he going to say? He hardly understood what had happened himself.
He had wanted her, needed her, for so long, and yet at the moment when it seemed his prayers had been answered; he had balked. Had he simply thought he still craved her out of habit? Surely it wasn't that simple.
Taking a deep cleansing breath, he stood up and straightened his rumpled shirt and walked out onto the balcony, looking straight ahead. Neither he nor Jaina said anything for a while.
Finally breaking the silence, Jag asked, "So, is it nice to be home?"
She smiled, still looking ahead, "You know, it's funny, I was born here, and my parents have always had a place here, well, except during the occupation, but I've never really thought of Coruscant as home."
Jag nodded thoughtfully while looking out at the skyline. "Interesting."
Jaina finally turned toward him and smiled. "No, it isn't," she chuckled. "You've known all that for years."
Jag looked down sheepishly, running his fingers across the railing. When he finally met her gaze he saw the sorrow and regret in her eyes and his heart splintered. She turned her body toward his and brought her hand up to his cheek, gently stroking it, the simple gesture relieving some of his guilt. He lifted his own hand to hers, brought it to his lips to kiss her palm and then returned it to his cheek and held it there.
"Can we be friends again?" Jag asked, holding his breath in anticipation of her response.
"I'd like that."
There was pain in her voice, but also a thread of acceptance that Jag was grateful for.
"Me too, I've really missed you, Jaina, and not just for the sex."
"Obviously."
Though it seemed to pain her to say it, the comment made both of them smile.
In a very quiet voice, Jaina asked, "Jag, are you happy?"
Jag considered the question for quite some time, all the while holding Jaina's gaze.
"I guess my having to think about it is telling."
Another long silence passed and Jag finally let go of Jaina's hand. He walked into his office, retrieved the Brindelay and both glasses, sat at the small table on the balcony, and motioned for Jaina to join him. He refilled their glasses and sat back, looking at the stars.
"I really love my work," he began, "And I seem to be good at it. I'm not crazy about Coruscant, but from what I hear, I would have liked it less before the war. I, for one, am thrilled that the rebuilding is going slowly, though we don't have to let my sister-in-law in on that secret. I don't see any reason to develop the planet to the point that it's covered in city again. I love being able to run along the river every morning. It reminds me of Csilla. Only green instead of white."
"I'm sorry I never visited your home; you always made it sound so beautiful. But I wasn't really thinking about work or the environment when I asked if you're happy. Oh, and by the way, you're drinking too much."
Jag smiled and continued the pouring that had prompted this last comment from Jaina. When the glass was filled to his satisfaction, he took a large swig.
"So, gloves off? It took a long time for me to admit to myself that our relationship was over. Once I finally did accept it, I didn't begin dating again for another year. When I finally did ask someone out, one evening with her was enough to convince me I hadn't been missing anything by living like a monk, but my mother found out about my date and the race was on.
"I spent months skillfully dodging her matchmaking attempts, only to find myself at a dinner party given by work associates my mother didn't know, seated next to the very woman my mother had been trying so hard to set me up with; Noya. The irony, of course, was that we'd known each other forever, but hadn't seen each other in years.
"Our mothers are friends. Noya's father is very important on Csilla and works closely with the military, and my father worked for her grandfather on Nirauan… until your aunt and uncle blew up the base."
Jaina made a face that resembled the same grimace he'd seen on Mara's face whenever that fateful incident was brought up.
"To my astonishment, I found myself enchanted that first night and briefly considered pursuing Noya on my own. Not so astonishing was that my mother found out about our chance encounter and I was seated next to Noya at the next three functions I couldn't avoid attending.
"We started dating after that fourth encounter and a year later, I proposed. So now, when the current senate session adjourns, I will be flying back to Csilla for the biggest human wedding the Unknown Regions have ever seen. As is my way, once the decision was made, I never gave it a second thought. That was until Mara and Luke dumped you in my arms at the beginning of the longest Hapan waltz ever written."
With that, Jag drained his glass, slammed it down on the table and looked Jaina straight in the eye and waited for a response.
They stared at each other for a minute, and then Jaina let out a long sigh, leaned back in her chair and seemed to commence her own study of the stars.
Without looking back at Jag, she said, "I'm glad you've found someone that can show you the love you deserve."
That was not what he had expected.
"I'm not saying she loves you more than I ever did, she just seems to be better at conveying it to you. And she's clearly not leaving you behind to go battle her own demons."
"How's that been going for you, by the way?"
"Oh, you know… in the course of killing a few I found a few more. But, I'm probably closer to feeling settled and adjusted than I've ever been before. My family and friends are safe, I love my work…"
"Are you happy?"
Jaina smiled sadly, "I'm not living a completely blissful existence." And then, in a choked whisper, "So, now what?"
"Now what, indeed. I suppose you go forward with your life and I go forward with mine and we gratefully accept each other's friendship. No more, no less and no one gets hurt."
"Yeah that seems to make the most sense."
Another long silence ensued, broken when Jaina stood up, "I don't even want to know what time it is. I have to be out the door by 0700 tomorrow which means I need to get up at 0530."
Standing as well, Jag asked, "It takes you that long to get ready? What happened to the girl who used to fall into a day-old flight suit and be in a green cockpit in less than five minutes?"
"The Naboo are making a formal investigation request of the Jedi Council and Kyp and I are flying out to meet them. I can't exactly pull my hair into a braid and slip into a day old flight suit."
"True. But you were always so sexy in those day-old flight suits."
"Jag, don't do that."
Feeling somewhat chagrined he replied, "You're right, I'm sorry."
They began walking toward the door in silence and Jag finally asked the only question he could think of to ease the sudden tension left by his inappropriate remark.
"So to Naboo with Kyp and then what?"
"I'm sure he'll try and drag me by the Errant Venture so he can check up on Jysella."
"Oh right, the latest Jedi to fly the coop. How's her singing voice?"
Jaina laughed and Jag was relieved they would be parting on a good note.
"Totally different set of circumstances. Though it's ironic, Jysella had her heart set on Tahiri being her master when she was old enough to train one-on-one, but Tahiri left just before Jysella was ready so she ended up with Kyp…"
Jag waited for Jaina to finish her sentence, thinking that there had to be more to the story… Where was the irony in wanting to train with Tahiri, then training with Kyp, then leaving the Order? Unless training with Kyp only postponed Jysella's leaving the Order, but why would Jysella leave the Order?
Even though Kyp was on the Council with Jag, and a good friend, they didn't see much of each other outside of work. Kyp was one of the few Council members who still did routine, everyday missions, and when he wasn't doing missions, he was usually on Ossus. Or, he had been, up until he and Jysella had come to Coruscant a couple months ago, and then she had resigned. Jag had been meaning to get Jacen alone to see if he'd spill about what had happened. Jacen had to know the whole story, and the fact that the Council did not know the whole story stank of Luke and Kyp not wanting Corran to know the whole story, then suddenly Jaina's evasiveness made a whole lot of sense and Jag began to laugh out loud, and then laughed harder when Jaina gave him a disbelieving look that quickly turned into to one of absolute fury.
"How did you do that?"
"You mean how did I put two and two and eight together to confirm my suspicion that Kyp still likes to put the moves on his extremely young female apprentices, without so much as asking a single question?"
"That's not what happened and you cannot say anything to anyone."
Jag held up his hands to stop Jaina from going on. "I assure you; Kyp's secret is safe with me. Wow. You think Jacen's home? I've got to talk to him."
"Jagged…"
Jag laughed again. "I swear I won't say anything to anyone… until I find Jacen."
Jaina groaned then raised her hand to her forehead and rubbed her temple. "I had forgotten how juvenile you two could be together."
He tried to give Jaina an innocent look, but knew he was laughing too hard to really pull it off.
Rolling her eyes, Jaina headed to the door. "I have to go. "
Jag tried to pull himself together again, "I know this was a weird night, thank you for talking to me."
He thought there might have been a hint of tears in her big brown eyes as Jaina turned back around to look up at him.
"I'm glad we finally cleared the air. It's been hard not having you in my life, especially since you're in everyone else's life that I care about."
"Yeah… I'm sorry about that. I tried to never say anything to Jace or Ri, or bring them into our issues."
Jag felt the gentle touch of Jaina's hand on his arm. "You were great. I know Jacen appreciated not ever having to take sides. And I'm sure Tahiri felt the same. So, I guess I'll see you around?"
"Yeah. Actually, if you'd like, I could use a sparring partner, if you're interested."
A wicked smile spread across her face. "Are you actually asking me to kick your ass?"
"No, I'm offering you a chance to try."
"You're on, Ambassador. I'll comm you when I get back."
"OK. Oh, and by the way, Kyp won't have to drag you far, Jysella is here on planet for that Intel meeting." He immediately regretted his words when he saw the confused look on Jaina's face. He knew his cheeks were turning red as he looked down and reached up to scratch the back of his neck. "Kriff, since it was Leia who brought the request, I assumed you knew…"
Jaina shook her head, clearly still not knowing what he was referring to.
"You didn't hear this from me, or at all for that matter, but Intel is trying to recruit her for the Wraiths."
"Wow. Does Uncle Luke know?"
"Yeah… for the same reason I know; Belindi wanted to clear it with the Council so she sent Leia to us to make sure she wasn't stepping on any toes. Didn't want to get tangled up in the Jedi being all angry at another loss… and to be sure that Jysella wasn't kicked out for disciplinary reasons. I'll make you a deal - I'll pretend I don't know about the Kyp issue if you pretend you don't know about the Wraith issue."
"That's probably a good idea. I guess this would explain why Kyp didn't leave me fifty messages today about our travel plans tomorrow. He's probably with her right now." A wicked gleam suddenly lit Jaina's eye. "Looks like you may get your ass handed to you on the sparring mat sooner than you thought."
With that, Jaina gave Jag a quick kiss on the cheek and exited his office.
Next time on Fear and Love:
Jysella's up next! And she's spittin' mad!