-Apology-
In light of the impending crisis, Jaina reluctantly postpones the trip to Hapes. Allana is disappointed, but Jaina says they'll go with Kyp in a few days.
She's nervous as she makes the holonet call. Jaina knows she shouldn't be. She's done nothing wrong, and this is really just a courtesy. But she hasn't spoken to Jag since their divorce was final, seven months ago.
He always set her on edge, she reflects as she waits for it to go through. She always had trouble with words around him, always felt a tiny bit apprehensive of his response. He'd been predictable until the Killiks. Now, when he gets angry, she doesn't know how he'll react. And this is sure to make him very, very angry.
Kyp had never made her fearful or nervous, not this way. She knows with him, and he her, just how far they can push each other. They're direct, open, and even when she's been angry to the point of blows, Jaina's always known how Kyp will respond. Her only nervousness had been in the times their tension had been so high, she'd been afraid he would do something insane like kiss her.
Funny how she's more than willing to prod him into doing just that now.
The holonet call finally goes through, answered by a dour-faced, blue skinned Chiss. He narrows his glowing red eyes at her.
"How did you get this frequency?" he demands.
"Tahiri gave it to me," she says. "I need to speak with Jag."
"His Excellency is occupied."
"I'm sure he is, what with running an Empire now." She sighs. "Please, Ashik, tell him Jaina needs to talk to him."
The Chiss is clearly reluctant, but places her on hold while he goes to speak to Jag. She only has to wait a few minutes. As she's anticipated, Jag seems eager to speak to her. The part of her that still loves him, will likely always love him, dreads what she's about to say.
He's cool and reserved, and only years spent in intimate contact tells her he's happy to see her. "Master… Solo, I presume it is now," he says, in his stiff way. "This is unexpected."
If that's the way he wants to do things, she'll play along. "Emperor Fel. I'm afraid this isn't a social call. Not precisely. We've had a situation arise and I wanted to speak to you in person about it."
Kyp, leaning against the wall to her right, out of the camera's range, snorts softly.
"And what might that be?"
"Tahiri resigned from the Order this morning and stole one of our shuttles. She left a message indicating that she was defecting to the Empire."
Genuine surprise crosses his lean, handsome face. "Why would she do that?"
Jaina hesitates. She takes a deep breath, then says, "She's apparently angry with me, personally. She said that she feels I betrayed you and can't stay here."
There is a long silence, as Jag contemplates this. "And why," he inquires at last, "would she feel this way?"
Jaina resolutely doesn't look at Kyp. "Since she doesn't know my side of things, I wanted to speak to you and explain before she gets there and tells you her misinformation. I've started seeing someone recently. I think Tahiri is under the impression that I left you for… this person."
Jag stares at her for a long, quiet moment, a muscle jumping in his clenched jaw. He knows that it would have to be someone from her past. It can't be Zekk, because they attended his wedding shortly before they divorced.
"And how," he asks, voice low and cold, "is Master Durron? I presume it's Kyp. You would only warn me if it's him."
"He's fine. Um." Jaina hates seeing expression of disgust on his face. "I didn't leave you for him. I want you to know that."
He stares at her in silence. "So you're telling me this to prevent Tahiri from 'tattling'? But she's forced your hand. You didn't want me to know at all, did you?"
"... Not immediately. I don't know you anymore, Jag. This- this emperor thing? The man I married would never have wanted that."
"I've changed," he says shortly. "But I always knew you had feelings for Kyp. Perhaps you should have done us all a favour and chosen him in the first place. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to meet with the Moffs Council. Goodbye, Jaina."
He cuts the call. Jaina squeezes her eyes shut and shakes her head. "He's right," she tells Kyp. "But I loved him, too. I did. Part of me still does. I'm sorry."
"I know. Don't apologise. You don't owe either of us anything."
"Then why do I feel like I do?"
"Because you're a good person. Come on, I'm starving and I know you haven't had breakfast, either. Everything else can wait."
