Hey guys! Don't worry, I'm still here...this story has not been forgotten! looks worried I sure hope my reviewers are still around...

MasterSolo: SilSolo...hmm, I'll have to check you out! And yes, I'm ZekksGoddess there as well. Used to be Jaina-Elessar, but I switched it to make it easier on people who bounce between and JC...haha. Thanks for reading!

Madalie of the Moor: Aww, thanks! Glad you like it so much...and yes, Han does kick butt:-)

ElorinnaEvenstarre: J/J? Me? smiles evilly You underestimate my love for Zekkie. Don't worry...you'll see.

Chapter Nine

"I wonder where your heart is
'Cause it sure don't feel like it's here
Sometimes I think you wish
That I would just disappear
Have I got it all wrong?
Have you felt this way long?
Are you already gone?"

-Martina McBride

"Lowie…what are you doing here?" Jaina asked, slipping her hand from Jag's as she moved toward her Wookiee friend, still wide-eyed from the night's events.

Lowbacca's golden eyes narrowed, and he responded with a loud bellow, thrusting a furry paw in Jag's direction. Clearly, he wasn't pleased.

"Master Lowbacca indicates that he was about to ask Colonel Fel that very same question…Although I do think that's rather obvious Master Lowbacca, I mean, can't you see?"

The Wookiee folded his hairy arms over his chest as he waited for Jaina's response, ignoring the little droid that hovered in the air beside him.

"I-well, uh…" Jaina began, glancing back at Jag, who was still knelt on the floor, his hands dropped to his sides. "Jag just…asked me to marry him…"

"See what you've interrupted Master Lowbacca?" EmTedee spoke up, his optical sensors flashing in annoyance. Turning to the other two, his tone was a bit brighter. "So, are congratulations due, Mistress Jaina…Colonel Fel?"

"Not quite…she hasn't answered…" Jag spoke up, holding the ring awkwardly in his hands…as though he weren't quite sure what to do with it now that he and Jaina had company.

Lowbacca's eyes became less narrow at this news, and he cocked his head at the pair. EmTedee, however, seemed to vary between emotions.

"Master Lowbacca…I am simply appalled that you broke in to Mistress Jaina's apartment in the middle of a marriage proposal! On the other hand, I am rather excited that we're here to actually see it take place…" He rambled, his voice changing pitch with each thought.

Lowie had just reached down to turn him off and end the chatter when the little droid startled him with another thought.

"Oh! Master Lowbacca…I've just thought of something…how will Master Zekk take all this when he finds out? Of course, you've got some time to formulate the proper way to tell him, since he's leaving this morning and you won't see him for quite some time…why, you may not even have to be the one to break the news!"

Lowie froze with his paw mid-way to EmTedee's switch, not believing that the little droid had just said that...out loud….and in Jaina's presence. His golden eyes moved slowly to Jaina's face, which had been overtaken with a strange expression, her brandy eyes fixed on the little droid. Hardly anyone noticed as Jag slowly rose to a standing position in the back of the room, his forest green eyes focused on Jaina, the same expression he had worn the previous night passing over his face.

"Oh dear…did I say something?"

As if she hadn't heard the little droid speak, Jaina's brandy eyes swung up to lock with Lowie's golden ones. "Zekk's leaving?"

Lowie nodded his shaggy head, his golden eyes looking rather sorrowful as he began to speak. Jag, however, cut him off mid-growl. Lowie glared at him in response.

"Jaina…?"

Jaina's head snapped back to look at him, and Lowie wondered for a brief moment if she had forgotten the young pilot was there. He had to work hard to prevent a smile at the thought.

"Jag…I-I'm sorry, but I can't marry you…" She said softly, her voice carrying a low, apologetic tone. Her eyes were focused on Jag's, and Lowie had to wonder for a moment if she was attempting to use the Force to make him understand. "I just…can't…"

Jag nodded, his jaw tight. Apparently he was too strong-minded for mind tricks. Who would've guessed? "I don't suppose this has something to do with this, ah…Zekk, does it?"

Jaina shook her head, though Lowie noticed the strange way she dropped her eyes when she said it, subtly avoiding Jag's gaze.

"Jaina…don't lie to me…" Jag said, raising his eyebrows at her, his mouth turning upside down to form a grim frown.

Ignoring him, Jaina turned back to Lowie. He saw very plainly that she was attempting to sound casual…Jaina was his friend, but she had a lot to learn about tact. "So…" She asked, her eyes resting on Lowie. "When was he planning to leave?"

"Oh, he's most assuredly on his way by now, Mistress Jaina…he was most eager to be on his way." EmTedee informed her, his tinny voice almost mournful.

Lowie turned his head, grumbling a question at the droid, his golden eyes narrowing and showing his skepticism.

"Master Lowbacca, didn't you notice when Zekk had me do a system check? Well…of course you didn't, you were to busy trying to persuade him to stay, but anyhow…when I ran the systems check for him I found that he had already filled out the ships log. According to that, he left nearly twenty three standard minutes ago."

Jaina nodded and turned her gaze back to Jag. "I…I really am sorry."

"Of course you are." Jag responded, "And I'm sorry that you can't tell me the truth…whatever the truth is."

"I- I need to go…I think I'd like to be away...from all of this right about now." Jaina muttered, looking strangely from Jag to Lowie. And then she left the room, dodging past the tall Wookiee and rushing into the corridor.

"Jaina!" Jag called, stepping forward, as if he were about to go after her. But Lowbacca stepped in front of him, arms crossed over his chest in a menacing manner.

"Master Lowbacca inquires as to where exactly you intend on going, Colonel." EmTedee stated pleasantly, hovering next to the young man's face.

For the briefest of moments, Jag considered explaining, or pushing his way past the Wookiee to follow Jaina. All it took a quick glance up into the Wookiee's narrowed, golden eyes to realize that it might not be the best of ideas…