Disclaimer: Star Wars isn't mine.

I am so sorry for the wait.

------

Jaina frowned at Wedge, "It has to be me?"

"Yes, I know you want to stay with your sister, but your squadron is the only one trained for this," Wedge responded.

Jaina pressed her lips into a thin line. She knew he was right. The Twin Suns were qualified to do many unusual missions. They had to be for when the Trickster scheme had been used. Jag is not going to like this. "Alright."

"I've already talked to Jag about it," Wedge told her, "He isn't very happy at all, as you can imagine. I'm really sorry to do this, Jaina, but we have to."

Jaina nodded, "I know. I'll be there shortly."

Jaina closed the connection. Wedge needed the Twin Suns to go to the old base. There were still many high ranking officials captured there. Jaina's squardon was going to distract the forces in the skies so the Wraiths could enter and free the captives. Jaina walked out of the room. She had to get going.
----
Kyp had fallen asleep on a few chairs he had dragged together in Aeria's hospital room. Han and Leia were talking quietly in the corner.

"Uuuuuuggggggggghhhhhhh," Aeria groaned. Han and Leia hurried over to their daughter.

"Aeria? Honey, can you hear me?" Leia said.

Aeria opened her eyes. She blinked against the light, then eyes adjusted, "Where am I?"

"Sweetheart, you were shot," Han told her, "and poisoned. You've been in a coma for awhile."

"Are you serious?" Aeria commented, "Who shot me? I'm going to kill them!"

"Well you sound fine," Han chuckled.

A doctor walked in. He drew some blood and asked a few questions, then said, "You seemed to have healed yourself. I want to keep you here for observation, though."

Aeria nodded, "Of course."

He left. Aeria glanced over at Kyp, "Is that Kyp?"

"Yes," Leia responded, "he's been here for a few days. You want to tell us anything about that?"

Aeria shrugged, "I don't know. I'll wake him. Can you leave us alone?"

"Of course, sweetie," Leia answered, ushering a protesting Han out the door.

Aeria picked up an empty cup from the table next to her. She threw it at Kyp. He barely moved.

"Fine, Durron," Aeria muttered. She picked up something heavier and chucked it at him.

"Oof!" Kyp explained, walking up, "What the hell was that?"

"Morning, sunshine."

"Aeria!" Kyp exclaimed, irritation forgotten. He ran over to her, "How are you feeling?"

"Great, now why were you sleeping on chairs in my room?" she asked, right to the point.

"I was worried about you," Kyp answered.

Aeria groaned, "Are all men this difficult? So are others, I'm sure, but I don't see them sleeping in my room."

"Well..."

"Oh for stars sake. Come here," she grabbed his face and pulled it to hers and kissed him.

"I swear, Kyp, its no wonder you've been single so long."
----

"I don't like it," Jag stated.

Jaina sighed, "I know you don't like it. I don't either."

Jag began to pace. They were in their temporary quarters. "Its not just you anymore," he began, "its you and our child."

Jania put her hand on his chest, stopping his pacing, "We have to go, Jag. If we don't go..."

"Jacen is there, isn't he?"

"I think so," Jaina answered. She sat down on the couch, pulling Jag with her, "On the way here, mom and dad contacted me. Aeria is awake."

"She is? Is-"

Jaina cut him off with a kiss, "I don't want to talk about her right now."

Jag agreed.
----
"Why did she want to see him alone?" Han said to Leia, clearly agitated. They had just spoken to Jaina.

Leia raised an eyebrow, "Think about it, Han."

"Oh no. No way," Han shook his head, "I already agreed not to kill Jaina's boyfriend, I'm not going through that twice."

"Han...," Leia warned.

Ham frowned at her, "And where is Jacen, anyways?"

Leia pressed her lips into a thin line, "Wedge still doesn't know. I hope Jaina finds him."

Han sat next to her on a bench, "I'm sure they'll be alright."

"Jag will be with her. He'll protect her," Leia commented as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Han nodded, "He better."
------
Kyp stared deep into Aeria's eyes, speaking in a raspy whisper, "Don't ever scare me like that again."

"What scares you more, Kyp, me being dead or not telling me?" Aeria asked, staring into his green eyes, eyebrow raised challenging him.

Kyp pursed his lips, "I don't know."

"Oh I think you do," she responded, leaning back on the bed, "The what-ifs would have killed you. I know your kind, Durron. You would what-if this to death, then bury it away with all your other regrets and live the rest of your days more depressed than you already are."

"I'm depressed?" Kyp questioned.

"Yes, very much so, but I'm going to change that," Aeria told him, grinning slyly.

"I know so," she replied, "Trust me."

"Ahem"

Kyp backed away from Aeria quietly at the sound of Han's voice. He moved off the bed quickly avoiding Han's glare.

"Hello, Kyp," Leia nodded, stepping from behind Han. She asked Aeria, "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Better," she replied.

"Kyp, come with me for a minute," Han said, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

"Han...," Leia warned.

"Don't worry," Han waved and took Kyp out the door.

Aeria glanced at Leia, "What is he going to do?"

"I don't know what to expect. He surprised me with Jag," Leia admitted. She patted Aeria's hand, "Don't worry, he'll be alright."

Aeria raised an eyebrow. She wasn't so sure.
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Jacen sat on ground of his small hiding place. He stretched out the Force to Jaina. She was nearby! What was she doing! Jacen tried to get the message across that she should leave, but Jaina ignore it. Jacen really wasn't surprised. Jaina was far too stubborn.

Very well then. He would come up with a plan. Jacen closed he eyes and began to meditate, trusting that the Force would show him the way.
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The Twins Squadron exited hyperspace in the shadow of the old base. Jaina flipped on the main secure frequency and waited for everyone to report in. Afterwards, she gave out the instructions, "Keep any skips or Brigaders off the Wraiths tails. We're their only defense. Remember, we are only here to distract. We have no back-up coming."

A round of acknowledging clicks sounded over the comm. Jaina watched as the first group of skips came towards them. "Heads up," she warned.

Thus it began. Jaina was barely able to take note when the Wraiths reached the surface. They did complete the task, however. The Wraiths would have to cover their own exit. It would be too dangerous for her squadron to stay and wait.

Jaina watched as each ship escaped into hyperspace. Soon only her and Jag remained.

"Go on, Great One," Jag's voice said.

"No," Jaina responded, "I have to get Jacen."

She could hear Jag sigh over the speaker, "Jaina, the Wraiths will take care of him."

"No, I have to go down there. Something is not right," she insisted.

Jag was quiet for a moment, then agreed, "Then I'm going with you."

Jaina smiled, "That's what I thought."
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Han and Kyp sat in the waiting room of the medward. Well, Kyp thought, We're in public. That's a good sign.

Han cleared his throat, "Alright, Durron, I know you own me a lot, but you don't have go after my daughters."

"I-"

"I'm not done. I just got Aeria back. I'm not about to give her up yet. I'll tolerate this for Aeria and Leia's sake, but if you harm her, I will kill you," Han threatened, then added, "No, better yet, I'll send you to Wedge. He'd love to do the honors."

Kyp gulped. Wedge hated him with a passion, "Yes sir."
--------

Jaina and Jag flew in through the planet's shadow. They dropped into the dense folliage for cover and flew low. They landed as close to the base as possible.

Jag was beyond nervous. There were times when he truly hated that his fiancé was a Jedi. It scared him to death, especially now. Not only could he lose the most important person in his life, but he could lose their child, a child whom he had yet to meet. A child who had not had a chance at life. It just wasn't fair.

Jag watched as Jaina cleared a small path for them with her lightsaber. They had been at this for about three hours. It was getting late. Jag could hear the little wildlife that was left rustle through the brush. He was surprised that the Vong had not changed the planet like they usually did. Jag found this unusual. They must have something in mind for the planet if they hadn't begun to change it yet.

"Jag..." Jaina's voice called, trailing off. Something in Jaina's voice made him run over to her. She grabbed his arm, then pointed to what lie ahead.

Jag stood staring in shock. In front of them was a giant pit filled with metal, trees, dead animals, bodies, and a strange orange gel. It was smoldering. Yuuzhang Vong marched around the pit. Jaina bit back a gasp when she saw one of the Wraiths pushed in the pit. His ship was a already there, smoldering.

Jaina look at Jag horrified. What were they going to do?
---------
Aeria was released from the medward later that day with strict instructions to rest. Leia had taken her home right away and stayed with her, much to Kyp's annoyance. He hadn't seen her since before Han had drug him out to the waiting room. It didn't look like he would get to see her today.

Kyp walked through the halls of the ship, bored. He had absolutely nothing to do. His X-Wing was fine, Jaina had left; he wasn't used to having this much time on his hands.

After wandering around for several hours, Kyp went back to the Solos. He was going to see her no matter what. They had much to talk about.

Leia greeted him at the door, "I figured you would be here sooner. She's over there."

Kyp nodded. He started to head over towards the couch where Aeria was seated, but Leia took a hold of his arm. In a low, no-nonsense tone she said, "If you hurt her, I will kill you."

Kyp nodded solemnly, then Leia released him. The dark threat in her eyes was worse than anything Han Solo could dish out. Leia was not a woman to be trifled with.

Han and Leia left, leaving Kyp with Aeria. She stared at him, eyebrow raised as if to say what are you waiting for?

Indeed, what was he waiting for? Kyp pressed his lips together, then pressed forward. He sat next to her, taking her hand in his.

"Aeria, I'm-"

"Shh," Aeria interrupted, placing a finger on his lips, "It's over and done with. Now, I am not staying on this couch all day. There has to be some place to eat on this ship."

Kyp nodded, "There's a mess..."

"Fine, let's go."
--------
Jacen awoke with a start. He could hear loud clomping heading his way! Jacen stood up quickly, then almost fell over from the kink in his leg. He shook it off, the stood as silent as possible.

"I'll search this one, you take that one!" a gruff female voice called. Jacen froze. He could see a sharp metal knife come through the thin sheet that stood between life and death. There was nothing he could do.

He was caught.
-------
Jaina gasped in horror at what she saw. Her and Jag had been trying to come up with an escape plan, but to no avail. They had heard quite a bit of noise, so she had taken a look. Jacen was being brought out!

Jag griped her hand and warned, "Don't try anything."
--------
Jacen stood in front of the huge pit, eyes filled with defiance. He knew Jaina was watching from behind the wreckage.

Don't do it, Jaina.

One of the Vong walked up to Jacen, pulling out a coufee. He brought it to his neck. Jacen didn't flinch. The Vong pressed into Jacen's throat, a trickle of blood oozing down his neck.

"And now, jeedai, you will die!" the Vong priest spat as he pressed the coufee deeper. Jacen closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force. He wasn't afraid to die.

His eyes shot open in surprised. He pulled away from the Vong, catching the guards off guard, "JAINA! NO!"

He saw Jaina jump on top of a hunk of wreckage, lightsaber ignited. Jag was instantly at her side, pulling her back down, but it was too late. Several Vong ran after them.

The Vong priest glared at Jacen, "You will die the most dishonorable death for this outrage, jeedai!"

Jacen was thrown down to the ground, guards tackling them. He knew if he fought back, he will be killed and that would lead Jaina back into darkness. He allowed the guards to beat him, then drag them back into a dank holding cell to await his execution.
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Jaina and Jag ran at top speed through the forest. Jaina was slightly ahead of Jag, slashing anything in their way with her lightsaber. Suddenly, she turned left, Jag following, completely confused. He had thought they were going back to their ships. Jaina let the Force guide her until she found a small alcove hidden by branches and dead fallen trees. She pulled Jag inside.

"Shh, we'll be safe here," she whispered, pulling him deeper into the hiding place. It was pitch black. No light could come in. Jag didn't want to think about what was living in here.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Jaina whispered back, "now quiet."

Jag nodded, though she couldn't see him. She leaned back into his embrace and within minutes, was in a deep sleep. Jag didn't know he, he imagined it had to do with the Force. He couldn't sleep, though, not with Jaina and his child in so much danger. All he could do was wait.
---------
Leia awoke with a start. She quickly jumped out of bed and hurried the comm in the main room, needing to contact Luke immediately. Something was wrong with the twins. She almost ran into Aeria, who also looked alarmed.

"Something's wrong," Aeria said without preamble.

Leia nodded. She saw Han stumble into the hallway, "What's going on?"

"The twins," Leia said quickly while dialing Luke's number. His face appeared in seconds, "Leia!"

"Are they okay?"

"They are in grave danger, Jacen more than Jaina," Luke answered after a moment.

Han's eyes narrowed, "I'm not giving him up again!"

"We have to save them!" Aeria cried out. She couldn't lose her siblings after just meeting them. Plus, it would kill her parents.

"I'll come to your quarters," Luke said, "Call Wedge too. We need to make a plan."

--------
The plan had been made. Aeria sat behind her father in the Millennium Falcon. They had just gone to lightspeed. Wedge had wanted to send more to help, but he simply did not have the resources. The task force included herself, Han, Leia, Luke, Mara, Kyp, and the Jedi girl Tahiri. Aeria had just met Tahiri and did not like her very much at all. She was far too quiet and depressing.

Half of the Wraiths had reported back saying that had made contact. No one knew where the rest were. Wedge knew he could not risk any more personal. The Twin Suns had wanted to help when they learned their leader was missing, but they could not. If the Vong knew that Jaina was on planet, the results would be castrosphic.

Aeria leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Her parents were bickering about some repair Han did or didn't do to the Falcon. Aeria thought back to right before they had left. Kyp had pulled her aside.


"I don't think you should go," Kyp told her, looking deep into her eyes.

"You don't think or don't want me to?" Aeria accused.

"I don't want you to. You've never fought the Vong like this. Chances are that many of us won't make it out alive. I don't want anything to happen to you," Kyp told her, caressing her cheek with his fingertips.

"I have to go," Aeria said simply, resting her hand on his then kissing the palm, "I can't leave them to die."

Kyp nodded slowly, "I know, just be careful."

"You too. I just found you, I don't want to lose you."

Aeria opened her eyes. She stared out at hyperspace. Please let Kyp survive this. I don't want to lose him.
--------
Jacen Solo was in deep trouble, that much he knew. He had no idea how he was going to get out of it. He had been in the cell for one day. He should have been dead already. He did not know what the hold up was.

Jacen heard voices from outside his walls. He watched as a beaten up Wraith pilot was drug by. Jacen didn't know who it was, but they were in bad shape. He saw a gash in their right side that was crusted with dried blood. Other cuts covered the pilot. Jacen was pretty sure it was a human male.

Jacen watched with interest as more Wraiths were brought in. He couldn't recognise any of them. One was a young woman. She was in the cell across from him. She had a nasty cut on her forehead and left arm was burned.

Hours later, she awoke, "What are you looking at?"

"Huh? Oh sorry."

"When are we going to die?" she asked bitterly, "I want to get it over with."

"I don't know. That's what I've been waiting for. I think mine was put off to bring you all in here."

"Damn," she muttered, then turned away from him. Jacen was intrigued by this new prisoner. He was going to have to learn more about her, and maybe find a way to escape.
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