CSILLA

JUNE YEAR 1052

Jag and Kyp climbed out of the military issued speeder they had borrowed from the base to make the short trip out to the Fel estate, quickly making their way to the main house.

"Sith spit, I forgot how kriffing cold it is here," Kyp muttered as they walked up the path. "No wonder you're such a frigid son of a bantha."

Jag ignored him, used to Kyp's digs by now after their two-week trip to Chiss space. Kyp had seemed to make it his mission to try and break through Jag's reserved and uncompromising facade. Jag, in turn, had determined that he would not allow Kyp to see him riled, no matter how the other man poked and prodded.

As soon as they were in the warm, welcoming hallway, Kyp let out a sigh of relief. Although Jag kept a straight face, he felt much the same to be out of the cold. He had gotten used to warmer temperatures after spending almost a year in the Empire.

"Wedge, you're here early! Cem and the girls are still out-" Syal's melodious voice drifted in from the kitchen, as she walked into the hallway.

Then she stopped suddenly as she saw the two men in the doorway, her hand moving to her mouth in shock.

"Jagged!" She exclaimed, after a moment, rushing to embrace her eldest son. "I thought you were your Uncle Wedge!"

"Only me I'm afraid, Mother," Jag said, kissing her on the cheek.

Syal clucked her tongue in disapproval, "Don't be silly, I am thrilled to see you. I had no idea you would be coming home!"

"Yes, well, something came up last minute," Jag said, exchanging a glance with Kyp. "I did try to comm before we left the base, but no-one answered."

Syal, remembering her position as gracious hostess, turned to Kyp. "And Mr. Durron, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Kyp gallantly kissed Syal's hand, "The pleasure is all mine, I assure you, Lady Fel. I'm afraid our unexpected arrival is my fault. So I apologize in advance for any inconvenience it might cause."

Jag resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Kyp's behavior.

"I won't hear any of that," Syal answered smiling. "Jag and his friends are always welcome here- expected or not."

"Friend is a strong word," Jag muttered.

Syal ignored her son and proceeded to lead the two men into the living space, urging them to sit down. She then grabbed a decanter from the nearby bar cart, pouring two glasses. Walking back over, she handed the drinks to the two men before settling down in the chair across from them.

"There, you both look frozen through. That should help warm you up," Syal said.

"Thank you, Mother," Jag said, cutting Kyp off before he could make any more grandiose comments. "You mentioned Cem earlier. He's home from the academy, then?"

"Yes," Syal answered. "He's all finished actually. I imagine he will be off to active duty soon, but he's been on extended leave for the past few months. I admit it's been nice having a house full of young people for a change."

Jag didn't quite understand what his mother meant, hardly thinking Cem and Wyn both being home constituted 'a house full of young people', but decided not to pursue it further.

"Is he out with Wyn, then?" Jag asked instead.

"Yes, they all went down to the hangar earlier, but they should be back-" Syal was interrupted by the sound of the front door closing. Jag easily recognized the excited giggles floating in from the hall and smiled to himself at the thought of seeing his little sister.

"Ah, there they are! Cem, girls!" Syal called into the hallway. "Come in here, we have some special visitors!"

Jag took a sip of his drink, expecting Cem, Wyn, and perhaps his young Antilles cousins to enter the living room. He was not at all prepared for who arrived instead.

Wyn bounded through the doorway, followed by his brother and two young women he never expected to see here.

Tahiri Veila entered the room right behind Cem and stopped, eyes widening as she saw Jag sitting in the living space. She was obviously as shocked to see Jag as he was to see them, but Jag hardly noticed her reaction. His eyes were immediately drawn to the brown-haired beauty who breezed into the doorway a few steps behind Tahiri.

Jag suddenly choked on his drink and all eyes turned to him. But Jag was oblivious, watching as Jaina finally noticed he was there, her smile disappearing as she turned a frightening shade of white. Jag felt like a statue, completely frozen, unable to move or pull his gaze away from Jaina.

"Jag, darling, are you quite alright?" Syal asked him, concerned.

Jag suddenly realized that everyone in the room was staring at him. His mother with worry; his brother and sister in confusion. And Kyp with calculated interest. Only Tahiri wasn't paying him any attention, as she looked at Jaina with a troubled expression.

Jag immediately pulled himself together, angry at himself for indulging in the attention-drawing display. Especially in front of Kyp, who had a knowing smile on his face that Jag did not appreciate in the slightest.

"I'm fine," Jag answered stiffly. "Sorry, Mother."

Wyn immediately rushed across the room, throwing herself into Jag's arms.

"Jag! Mother didn't say anything about you coming home!" she said eyes bright with excitement.

"Yes, well it was a bit of a surprise for her, too," Jag chuckled, outwardly concentrating on his little sister while his mind tried to process the fact that Jaina was in his mother's house.

Jag had known that Jaina had fled the Empire after Anakin's death, her parents no longer willing to let their daughter marry the man who had murdered their youngest son. But he had never imagined that she had escaped here, to the Fel estate.

Although he should have, he admonished himself. After all the Solos had been close with his father, were still close to his uncle. And he knew better than most that Chiss space was an excellent place to evade the long reach of the Empire.

"Wyn, dear, let your brother catch his breath," Syal scolded. "Jag, come and meet our guests. The Lady Tahiri Veila and Princess-"

"Jaina Solo," Jag interrupted, walking across the room, where Jaina and Tahiri still stood awkwardly in the doorway. "It's good to see you both again. I had no idea that you were here."

Jag smiled at Jaina, a small half-smile that almost broke her. She couldn't allow him to see how much he still affected her, how strongly she still felt about him. Especially when he had made it clear he did not feel the same. Hardening her heart and stiffening her spine, she turned cool eyes on him.

"Colonel Fel," Jaina answered, relieved when her voice came out forbidding and regal rather than the nervous squeak she had half expected.

Jag's eyes widened in surprise and Jaina thought she saw a flash of hurt disappointment before his expression shuttered, once again becoming indiscernible.

"How are you?" Jag asked, his own voice neutral and formal without any of the former warmth. "You look well, it seems the cold air of Csilla agrees with you."

"Ah, so you know each other, how lovely!" Syal said, blissfully unaware of the tension between the Princess and her son.

"Yes," Jag answered, glad of the excuse to turn away from Jaina's frosty stare, icier than any Csilla snowcap. "I met the Princess when Father took me to Alderaan as a child, and then briefly again at Coruscant when I first arrived with the Chiss relief force."

"How long are you here for, Jag?" Wyn asked, tugging his sleeve impatiently. Eager to have his attention back on her.

"I'm not sure," Jag answered. "At least for a week or two. That is if there is room for us."

Jag looked at his mother questioningly.

"Of course, there is, darling," Syal answered with a smile.

"Maybe I can come with you when you go back to the Empire," Cem put in excitedly. "You know, I just graduated from the academy."

"Perhaps," Jag answered distractedly. He was suddenly aware that while he had been talking to his brother and sister, Kyp had gotten up from his chair and sauntered over to Tahiri and Jaina.

"Lady Tahiri," Kyp nodded in greeting then turned to Jaina, sketching an elegant bow. "And Princess Jaina, it's so nice to finally meet you in person."

"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage," Jaina answered, as Kyp kissed her hand. Lingering a bit too long, in Jag's opinion. "I don't believe we've been introduced?"

Jag couldn't help but notice that Jaina's voice had lost the glacial edge it had held when she was speaking to him.

"Kyp Durron, my lady. At your service," Kyp answered flashing her a beguiling grin. "I knew your father years ago, and of course, I've seen you and your family on the news since. I'm afraid the holos don't do your beauty any justice, though."

Jaina flushed, taking her hand back and Jag felt a hot flash of jealousy.

"Durron," he said, his voice coming out sharper than he intended. "We should get settled in then find my uncle. We have much to discuss, after all."

Kyp raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling, "Of course."

Jag quickly extricated himself from Wyn's grasp and moved towards the door.

"Well ladies, it seems I've been dismissed," Kyp said jovially, turning back towards Tahiri and Jaina with a rakish smile. "But I look forward to getting to know you better during our brief stay here."

Jag impatiently ushered Kyp to the door, eager to put an end to the older man's unabashed flirting.

"You never mentioned you knew the Princess of Alderaan," Kyp mused as the two men trekked upstairs to the sleeping quarters.

"Why would I?" Jag answered shortly.

"You could have at least told me how pretty she is," Kyp said teasingly.

Jag ignored him and pointed to a door on their right. "Your room is right there. I'll meet you downstairs in twenty minutes."

Kyp watched Jag march down the hallway with an amused smile. Jag's reaction to Jaina Solo had been very interesting. And even more fascinating was his intense reaction to Kyp's innocent flirting.

That was not like Jag. He was always in control. Always calm and collected. None could read his thoughts, not through that impenetrable shield of his, and Kyp had started to believe the man was made of stone. But Jag's mask had slipped for a fleeting second. There was more than a childhood friendship between him and the Princess, Kyp would bet his fighter on it.

Kyp liked Jagged Fel, he truly did, but the younger man seemed to have the emotional intelligence of a nerf. Kyp decided it was his job- as a friend, of course- to push him to recognize his true feelings for the Solo girl.

And if watching the stiff-necked Colonel try to maintain his indifferent facade proved as entertaining as he expected, well, that was just an added bonus.

Kyp smirked. This trip was turning out to be much more fun than he had originally thought it would be.

CSILLA

JULY YEAR 1052

Jag tried to concentrate on the datapad he was reviewing, the latest report from Shawnkyr regarding the status of his Chiss forces in the Empire. His second clearly had everything well in hand but Jag still felt a responsibility to carefully review her meticulous reports.

Jag and Kyp had been at the Fel estate for the past two weeks and they were still no closer to getting a meeting with Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo. They were told the commander was traveling in deep space with limited access to a communication frequency and they would have to wait until he returned. Jag was trying to hide his impatience but it was getting harder to do by the day. And Kyp's incessant advances on Jaina were not helping in the least.

Jag looked up from his place on the couch to the card table the others had set up to play a game of Sabacc. It was late and Wyn and his mother had already gone to bed, but when Kyp had suggested a game of cards, Tahiri, Cem, and Jaina had all readily agreed. Jag had declined but feeling uncomfortable leaving Kyp alone with Jaina- he hardly considered his brother and Tahiri suitable chaperones- he had elected to do his work down here instead of going upstairs.

The foursome seemed to be having a great time and Jag watched with a scowl as Kyp shifted his chair closer to Jaina. The Princess hadn't openly responded to Kyp's outrageous flirting that seemed to became bolder the longer they were here. But, Jag noted with a sense of trepidation, she hadn't discouraged him either.

"An impressive hand, Princess. Intelligent as well as beautiful, and the Solo luck to boot," Kyp said admiringly. "The full package."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Kyp," Jaina answered with a smirk, as she leaned over to gather the pile of credits she had just won. "I still intend to clean you out."

"I'm serious. I'm only surprised a woman of your many talents is still available. Though, I won't complain since it means I still have a chance," Kyp answered with a wink.

"Give it up, Kyp," Jag snapped suddenly. "Obviously Jaina is not interested and your shameless attempts to pursue her are becoming embarrassing."

Cem and Tahiri both turned to stare at Jag, surprised by his sudden outburst. Kyp quickly hid a smile and put his hands up in a mock gesture of innocence.

Jaina's eyes, however, flashed with anger and pinning Jag with her stare, she answered before Kyp had a chance.

"And why, Jagged Fel, would I not be interested? I'm single, after all. I don't have any ties or obligations holding me back from having a relationship with any man I choose. And," she added pointedly, "I once said I would only choose a man who could outfly me. From what I've heard, Kyp's an excellent pilot. Not to mention he's good-looking and actually has a sense of humor."

Tahiri and Cem watched the interaction with wide eyes and avid interest, content to be spectators in this unexpected turn of events. Kyp, starting to feel as if the game had gotten away from him, turned to look at Jaina in surprise.

Jaina just continued to stare at Jag, daring him to contradict her. Jag held her stare for a long moment, the silence deafening. Finally, he got up from his seat abruptly, his movements barely hiding his controlled anger.

Tahiri jumped imperceptibly as Jag hurled his datapad at the caf table, the sound echoing in the deadly hushed room.

"Fine," he spat. "I hope you two are very happy together. I'm going to bed."

As Jaina watched Jag leave, she was still fuming, arms crossed, eyes blazing. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned back to the others with a huff. Cem and Tahiri both stared at her in wide-eyed disbelief.

Tahiri had filled Cem in on the brief dalliance that had occurred between his brother and Jaina on Courscant, but he had never imagined Jag's feelings had run too deep. It seemed so unlike the emotionless brother he knew, after all. Apparently, he had been wrong.

"I'm sorry," Jaina mumbled uncomfortably, her face flushed with both residual anger and sudden embarrassment as she looked down at her cards. "I didn't mean to- just- well, sorry."

Kyp cleared his throat, "I'm the one who should apologize. I just meant to tease Jag, push him a little bit. I didn't mean for it to go that far."

"What do you mean?" Jaina asked quizzically.

"I meant what I said, you're beautiful and intelligent. Quite the catch," Kyp sighed. "But I confess, I've been flirting with you mostly to get a rise out of Jag."

"But why would he care about that?" Jaina asked frowning.

Kyp looked at her pointedly, "Come on, Princess. It's obvious the man is head over heels in love with you."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Jaina answered tightly.

"Don't I?" Kyp challenged. "I admit, Jag's not exactly easy to read, but it's painfully obvious how he feels about you."

Jaina opened her mouth to object, then closed it. Looking over at Cem for support, she saw from the look on his face that he agreed with Kyp.

"I've never seen Jag get so riled up before," Cem said, with a small shrug. "Honestly, I didn't think he had it in him."

Jaina looked to Tahiri who only smiled apologetically at her, "You know how I feel about the situation, Jay."

Jaina shook her head in denial. Jag didn't want her, he had made that perfectly clear when they had been on Coruscant. And he had treated her with cool distance ever since he arrived on Csilla. But then, why had he reacted that way to Kyp's overtures? They were right, it was completely out of character. Force, her head ached trying to untangle it all.

"I need to go," she said suddenly, standing up from the table. "Excuse me."

And with that Jaina fled upstairs, leaving the same way Jag had exited moments before. Kyp, Cem, and Tahiri watched her go, and when Tahiri was sure Jaina was out of earshot she turned to Kyp.

"Well, I hope your plan works, Kyp."

"So do I," Kyp answered, with a rueful smile. "But then I have always been a gambler. Speaking of, should we play another hand?"

Jaina stood outside Jag's door, mind whirling, starting to regret her impetuous decision to go after him. But she had so many questions only he could answer and she wasn't sure she could ignore them any longer. Kyp had forced them to the forefront and she had no choice but to face the truth head-on. No matter what it was. She hit the door comm before she could second guess herself and waited. The door finally opened, revealing Jag's face set in a grim scowl.

"Kyp, I'm not in the mood-" he growled. Seeing Jaina, he stopped in surprise, "Jaina. I didn't expect you."

"We need to talk," Jaina responded tightly.

"Look, I said things I shouldn't have and-" Jag sighed. "It's late. Can't we do this tomorrow?"

"No," Jaina answered stubbornly. "We need to talk now."

Jag rubbed a hand over his face in agitation, before capitulating. This was the last thing he wanted to do right now but he knew to fight her on it was pointless.

"Fine," Jag nodded, moving aside to let her into his room. Jaina marched in, waiting for the door to close, feeling her anger from earlier return in spades.

"What the kriff was that down there, Jag?" Jaina demanded. "You have no right-"

"I know," Jag interrupted bitterly. "And I'm sorry. It's just- come on, Jaina. Are you really interested in Kyp Durron? He's self-centered, arrogant- for Force sake, the man flirts with anything that breathes! Not to mention he's almost twice your age."

"Oh and Serena Vondercoff is such a model of virtue," Jaina spat back.

"What?" Jag asked, frustrated. "What does that woman have to do with anything?"

"She has everything to do with it!" Jaina yelled. "You tell me I should stay away from Kyp, but who are you to talk? When your girlfriend is nothing better than a-"

"Wait," Jag stopped her. "Girlfriend? Serena Vondercoff is not my girlfriend."

"Well, whatever she is to you, then," Jaina responded sharply.

"She's nothing to me," Jag answered in growing annoyance.

"Come on, Jag," Jaina said, rolling her eyes. "I saw the two of you. I'm not an idiot."

"Nothing ever happened between me and Serena," Jag insisted.

Jaina rolled her eyes, huffing in obvious disbelief.

"She might have wanted something to," Jag allowed, "but it didn't, I swear on my father's grave. I have no interest in her at all. I never have."

Jaina studied Jag's solemn face, deciding that perhaps he was telling the truth. But that didn't explain his sudden coldness, his sudden disinterest in her.

"Then why did you ignore me those last few weeks on Courscant?" Jaina asked, confused. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, not at all," Jag answered quickly.

"Was everything just in my head, then?" Jaina continued. "I mean, I thought we had something special, that you felt-"

"Jaina, your mother came to see me before she left for Alderaan," Jag interrupted, realizing that hiding the truth from her no longer an option. That it was not preventing her from being hurt, but the opposite. "She told me about your engagement to Zekk, warned me to stay away from you."

"But," Jaina whispered, the betrayal clearly visible on her face, "why would she do that?"

"To keep you safe," Jag answered gently. "The Emperor was worried I was.. showing too much interest in you. He overtly implied that your safety was at risk if it continued. I didn't know how to tell you, but then when you saw me with Serena and assumed- well, I thought it would be easier that way. To make a clean break of it."

"I see," Jaina said quietly, eyes wide.

"I swear, I never meant to hurt you," Jag continued urgently. "But the Emperor had spies watching us, and I couldn't put you in danger. If he thought there was anything going on, anything that would risk your marriage to Zekk-"

"I will never marry that monster," Jaina answered passionately. "Especially now."

Jag nodded, "I know."

Jag paused, then faced her resolutely, "Jaina, about Anakin... I'm so sorry. I know I promised you I would keep him safe and I failed. Even worse, I'm the reason he-"

"Don't say it," Jaina said fiercely. "I don't blame you for his death and you definitely shouldn't blame yourself. Lay the responsibility where it belongs, solely at the door of that Hutt-slime Zekk."

Jag opened his mouth to protest but a look from Jaina silenced him and he nodded reluctantly, looking away. He didn't fully agree but that was a burden he would carry alone.

"So," Jaina said, after a moment. "What does this mean for us?"

"What?" Jag asked, looking up at her in surprise.

"I told you, I'm never gonna marry Zekk. And, it looks like I was wrong about you and Serena, your reasons for avoiding me. So where does that leave us?" Jaina asked plaintively.

Jag sighed, "Nowhere."

"What do you mean? You can't-"

"Jaina, don't you understand?" Jag interrupted, voice full of frustration. "You may not be marrying Zekk, but that doesn't mean there's a future for us. You're safe here in exile now, but do you think that would still be the case if you had a relationship with me? Zekk would find out, and he wouldn't rest until he found us, found you."

Jaina recoiled from Jag's violent outburst and he took a deep breath, reining in his temper.

"The man hates me more than any man alive, would take it as a personal affront if you escaped him to be with me. He would never let it go, would hunt you down for the rest of your life. The Empire has a far reach, could find you if they really wanted to. You would never be safe, would be constantly on the run. I can't put you in that position," Jag's jaw clenched. "I won't." "

"But I don't want to be safe," Jaina answered in a small voice, tears in her eyes. "I want you."

Jag stared at her, every part of his being urged him to take Jaina into his arms, wipe away her tears. But he stood stock still, once again frozen in indecision. He had vowed he would let Jaina go in order to keep her safe. But now, face to face with her, he was starting to second guess himself.

Jaina, misinterpreting his lack of response, quickly wiped away a tear, trying to hide that her heart was breaking into a million pieces. She had thought she could handle this but now she wasn't sure she would be able to recover from Jag's rejection a second time.

"Right, I understand if you don't feel the same. It's not only my life that would be at risk, after all," Jaina said quickly. "I'm sorry I put you in this position. I should have never- I'll just go."

Jaina tried to smile at him, lips trembling as she turned to leave and Jag's discipline broke. He knew he should let her walk away. And maybe he was being selfish but he just couldn't do it. Not again. Not like this.

Grabbing her arm he pulled her to him roughly, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Jag's embrace was demanding but Jaina eagerly met him stroke for stroke. Jag weaved one hand into the thick curls at the back of her head, leaning her head back to deepen the kiss as his other hand rested at the small of her back pulling her closer.

Finally breaking away, Jag leaned his forehead against Jaina's as they both caught their breath.

"Does this mean…" Jaina finally asked, pulling away, just enough to look into Jag's bright green eyes.

"I know I should let you go, but I can't," he admitted in a low shaky tone. "I love you, Jaina."

Jaina smiled, tears of happiness in her eyes, "I love you too, flyboy. Always have, always will."

Jag smiled at her then, that small half-smile he reserved only for her. And at that moment, all that mattered was the two of them. All the dangers, all the problems they faced seemed to melt away and for the first time in over six months, Jaina finally felt free.

She pulled Jag down to her, kissing him hungrily, and his free hand landed on her hip pulled her closer until she was pressed flush against him.

Their kissing quickly grew more heated, a sense of desperation fueling the desire that had caught faster than any flame. Jag lifted Jaina up effortlessly and her legs automatically wrapped around him as he moved her to the bed without breaking their connection. Jag laid her down and pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes hot with desire but also filled with an overwhelming tenderness that made Jaina feel as if her heart would burst.

Jaina pulled Jag back down on top of her and he turned his attention to strategically placed kisses along her neck, his body stiffening in desire when she moaned in response.

Jaina pushed Jag back gently, pulling the light cotton tunic she wore over her head, leaving her bare to his hungry gaze. Jag's eyes darkened with unrestrained need before he leaned back down, lips exploring her body with a deep sense of reverence.

He continued to worship her body, intimately acquainting himself with every curve and nuance. Each kiss, every deliberate stroke, left her desperate for more and she fumbled with the buckle of his pants, needing to feel his skin against hers. Jag suddenly grasped her hands, pulling them away from their frantic task and leaned back on his heels to look at her. He gently pushed a lock of damp brown hair back from her eyes as she shifted impatiently underneath him.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jag asked, voice husky with desire.

Jaina looked up at him, her gaze sure and unflinching, "I need you, Jag."

And with that, any hesitation on his behalf fled. He needed her too, Jag readily admitted to himself, and if this was what she wanted he was powerless to deny her. He let go of all his doubts, all his worries about the future, and allowed himself to get carried away in the tantalizing softness of her body. To drown in the eager desire he saw reflected back in her whiskey brown eyes.

And for once, Jagged Fel threw caution to the wind and took a leap of faith.