The Present

Jaina crept around the corner of the building on the streets of Theed to the dark alley, in which she was to meet her contact. Though Naboo was no Coruscant, that didn't mean there wasn't still crime and dark things going in shadows down the street at night. Especially when she turned down the designated alleyway and walked slowly, only to be caught off her guard and grabbed by two strong men.

One held her from behind, a small dagger to her chin, the other in front of her with a menacing grin, pinning her arms to her side. She stopped struggling for a moment, trying to breathe, for the man behind her had an arm around her neck. He pulled her back to lean against the building, while the man in front of her came close to her, way too close, and put his face in front of her's.

"There are so many options to do right now," he said with a wicked laugh. He held up a blaster to her nose. "The end result by our employer having to do with putting a shot through your head. However...we were left with our imaginations for the middle part." Jaina glanced up and saw, at the end of that alley, the two people she was supposed to meet, watching her from that distance with their hands casually clasped behind their backs.

Jaina brought her knee up as hard as she could and kicked the blaster from the man's hand as he fell backwards. She spun around, the other man slashing wildly with his dagger, cutting the side of her face. With a clean swipe of her lightsaber she had quickly called to her hand, the man fell down, dead. She turned to the other one and put the blade swiftly through his stomach.

She spun back with a snarl and picked up the blaster with her gloved hand, stalking towards the end of the alley, where the two men stood in fear, about to bolt. One she recognized, yet the other was just a guard. "Nute Gunray," she said with a piercing look. "I'm not sure what you were trying to prove there, but I can assure you that nothing you try will work." She held up the blaster and shot the man down beside him, who fell to the ground with a thud. "Let that be a warning to you. And your employer."

She threw the blaster on the ground at the man, then turned and ran as hard as she could back to the hangar to leave Naboo.

The Past

He's not going to like this, was the first thought that came into her mind as Jaina was given a mission on her return to Coruscant. Quickly, before she had to leave that afternoon, Jaina went to say good-bye to Geist at what was now their apartment.

As soon as she came into the door and had shut it behind her, Geist had put an arm around her waist and begun to kiss her. He started to pull her to the couch, but she stopped him with a nervous laugh. He looked down at her with a bit of concern, unsure of what she had meant by it.

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately. She looked up at him with a sort of apologetic look.

"I have to go to Ilum for a mission," she replied softly. He gazed at her, his eyes flickering with concern. "You know I was going to have to continue my regular Jedi life. I have to keep going on these missions. It's my duty as a Knight."

"But I'm worried about you," he said sadly. "I don't want you hurt. What if something happens to you?"

"Nothing will happen to me," Jaina insisted lightly. "I've survived all my missions before now."

He looked at her, wishing to go on, but not wanting to cause an argument between them. "At least let me come with you," he whispered.

"I can't let you do that," she said, looking at him sadly. "You have to let me continue my life. I'll come back home to you, don't worry so." He leaned down and kissed her longingly, then let go of her, watching as she left the room.