Chapter 2

Jag Fel stood in the doorway. His countenance was one of carefully controlled rage, and he emanated frustration like stink on a Tauntaun. Jaina gave him a falsely sweet smile. "Colonel. What a pleasant surprise."

He scowled. "I haven't come all the way down here to play games, Jaina." It was the first time he had called her by her name, and Jaina was slightly taken aback. "Are you going to let me in?" So, no more Mister Nice Guy. That was fine with Jaina. It was time to take the gloves off. She moved aside so he could enter. The door slid shut behind him.

When she turned around he was facing her. "What do you want from me?" he asked simply.

Jaina snorted derisively. Well, let's just cut straight to the power cable. "I didn't ask for this, you know," she said. "I didn't ask to leave my home and family and come live here. I was forced to. And I don't think that I should have to go through all that and be palmed off to whoever's convenient by the guy who's taken all that from me."

His eyebrows shot up at her accusations. "Do you think I want this any more than you do? Do you actually think I want to marry you? I haven't any more choice in this than you do. And I think I've been a whole lot more courteous about the whole damned situation than you have."

Jaina folded her arms across her chest. Her first instinct was to tell him to just get out, but she managed to refrain. "Really? Hmm, let's see. First, you don't even meet me when I arrive. Then, I was asked to dinner by your secretary. At dinner, you give me an itinerary as to what I'm supposed to do for the next few days. This morning, you barge into my apartment—"

"Our apartment," he interjected.

"—at an unholy hour so you can unpack," she finished, not skipping a beat. "Oh, and then what happens? You've had your secretary keeping tabs on me to make sure I don't do anything embarrassing. Am I right? I know I am. And you have the insolence to accuse me of being 'discourteous'."

He gave her a calculating look. "What do you expect? You want me to act happy? Well, I'm not. You're not the only one who's had their life ripped out from underneath them, Miss Solo. I'm only doing as told."

"That's what you're best at, isn't it?" she snapped. "Following orders. Keeping everyone in line. Well, I'm not as easily bossed around as you would wish. I may have to live the rest of my life with you, but I'm not going to live the rest of my life under you! As much as you would like, I'm not your subordinate, and I never will be!"

A muscle in his jaw tightened noticeably. "Again, I ask, what do you want of me?" he said with more control than he should have, under the circumstances.

Jaina sighed, pondering the question. "I want," she said finally, "for us both to be able to live our own lives. I don't want to own you, and I certainly don't want be owned by you. I want to be able to do what I want, without any interference from you or your family. I want to be your equal. I want respect. And I'll give you respect in return."

Jag was quiet for a long while, holding her eyes. Jaina's gaze didn't flinch. Finally he said in a very cautious tone, "I cannot vouch for anyone but myself; but I can promise you that I won't tell you what to do. I can promise to give you the respect you deserve. But I can promise nothing else."

Jaina nodded solemnly. "As long as we hold to that, I don't think we'll have much of a problem."

He returned that night to escort her to his parent's residence. The ride through the snow was completely silent. Jaina didn't have anything else to say to him, and she guessed he was finished too. The atmosphere wasn't hostile, at least. She supposed that was something.

When the large house came into view Jaina breathed a sigh of wonder. It was tall and made of stone, with railed balconies much like the one outside Jaina's own bedroom. It was gorgeous to say the least. Small smoke tendrils could be seen curling up from an old-fashioned chimney. Framed by snow, it was one of the loveliest houses she had ever seen.

As he pulled the speeder to a stop the front door opened to reveal a small blond girl. She was probably around ten or so, but even through the snowy wind Jaina could see the intelligence in her eyes. She smiled broadly as Jaina and Jag got out. "Jag!" she called, waving excitedly. He waved back, a hint of a smile crossing his features.

"My sister Wyn," he explained as he helped her from the speeder. Jaina nodded. They made their way up the ice-covered steps, and as soon as he stepped through the door he was tackled by the girl.

"Jag!" she said excitedly. "Guess what? I was accepted at the Academy!" she beamed.

Jag smiled, but there was a hint of a frown to it. "I thought mother didn't want you joining the military."

Wyn shrugged. "She doesn't. But me and Dad are working on her."

"Dad and I," Jag corrected absent-mindedly, but his gaze was on the figure approaching. Jaina looked up to see. There, lo and behold, was none other than Wynssa Starflare, the holovid actress. Jaina's jaw dropped. Was this…could this be Jag's mother?

Jag let go of his sister to embrace her lightly. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Jag."

"Mother," he responded. He turned to Jaina. "Jaina, this is my mother, Syal Antilles Fel. Mother, This is Jaina Solo."

Syal smiled lightly and extended her hand. "It's so good to meet you, a last."

Jaina managed a polite smile.

Syal cocked her head, as if curious. "You looked shocked, my dear. Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Jaina said. "Just a little puzzled."

"Over what?"

"Several things. Begging your pardon, but you bear a striking resemblance to the holostart, Wynssa Starflare. And you said your name was Antilles. I am wondering if you are related to General Wedge Antilles."

Syal smiled broadly. "To answer your first question, I am Wynssa Staflare. Wynssa is just my stage name. And General Antilles is my brother."

Jaina smiled again, this time genuinely. "My uncle is good friends with Wedge. He's my holdfather, actually."

Syal cocked one eyebrow. "Really? Well. I haven't seen Wedge in years, though. I guess there's no reason I should have known."

She turned then and led them into a dining room. "Where's Father?" Jag asked on the way.

"Working late. He'll be here soon, though," Syal explained. "We can go ahead and get started without him." As they sat down a young man bearing a striking resemblance to Jag, probably only a year or two younger than Jaina, came in. He was studying a datapad.

"Cem, put that down," Syal said. "It's time for dinner." He looked up for the first time, and noticed Jag, then Jaina.

"Who's that?" he asked, looking at Jaina.

"This is Jaina Solo," Syal explained. "Jaina, this is my son Cem."

They both murmured greatings. "Mom, I can't make dinner tonight," he said afterwards, going back to the datapad. "I have to make some modifications on my clawcraft."

Syal looked terribly disappointed. "You haven't had dinner here in a week!"

He shrugged as he left the room. "Sorry."

"He's just growing up, Mother," Jag said when he was gone. "It's natural."

"I know," she sighed. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

Server droids had just set the meal out on the table when the door to the outside opened. A huge, hulking man with a black eyepatch came to stand in the doorway. Syal stood as he entered. He came and kissed her on the cheek then turned to stare directly at Jaina.

"So," he began, "I suspect that you are Jaina Solo."

"I am," she said.

"Baron Soontir Fel," he said and inclined his head in her direction. Without another word he sat down at the head of the table. The food was distributed and eaten silently. Jaina didn't think this was due to her presence though, but that such was the norm. It was a far cry from a family dinner at the Solo/Skywalker household, where food fights and wrestling matches ensued more often than not.

It wasn't until towards the end of dinner that they began to speak more. Most of the conversation was directed at Jaina.

"Do you like the apartment?" Syal asked.

"It was very kind of you to have it ready for me," Jaina said truthfully.

"What do you think of Csilla?" Wyn asked.

"I think the snow's very beautiful," she answered.

"Have you gone shopping yet?" Syal asked. "There's a little shop downtown—"

"I went today," Jaina said. "Touri told me you come in there a lot."

Syal smiled wistfully at the mention of Touri. "She was my Cherith's best friend. I do what I can to keep her in business."

"What do you plan to with your days?" Soontir asked suddenly. Jaina thought it an odd and rather random question. She debated for a few minutes as what to tell him, and finally decided she might as well drop the bomb now.

"I was thinking of joining a fighter squadron."

There was utter silence. They were all looking at her as if she had just turned into a Hutt. "What?"

"Well," Jag said slowly, "I'm not sure that's a very good idea."

"Me either," Soontir said, but not in as nearly a nice way.

"Why not?" Jaina asked, drawing herself up.

"Frankly, Jaina, I'm not sure you would fit in," Jag said.

Jaina turned to look at him. Had they not just had this conversation? "Why? Am I not good enough?"

Jag took on a sterner look. "No offense, but probably not."

Jaina was appalled. "I was accepted into Rouge Squadron back home! I beat the simulator twice, and I bet I could outfly over half your pilots with my eyes closed!" It wasn't a flip statement, but closer to the truth. She didn't trust her eyes in battle; only the Force.

"Be that as it may," the Baron interjected, "I don't want you applying for any such position."

Jaina felt her temperature rise a few degrees. "And who are you to tell me what to do?"

He looked as if about to explode. "I am your superior, as long as you live in the Ascendancy! You are in my charge and will do as I say!"

Silence reigned for close to a minute. In that time Jaina inwardly debated as whether to show him exactly how intimidated she was, or to cry. She would not be treated this way. In the end, she decided to do neither. She got up and left. She went back into the foyer area, and hastily put on her parka, shivering with her rage. As she buttoned it jag appeared in the doorway. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I want to go home. Now."

Jag scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. "It'll be a short ride back, can't you just wait until—"

"No!" She was on the verge of tears. She hadn't meant that awful, empty apartment. She wanted to go home. He would never understand. "Either you take me home right now or I'll walk."

Jag started to protest, but saw the look in her eyes and knew it was no idle threat. He also knew she wouldn't survive five minutes in the subzero temperatures. He nodded slowly. "Just let me go pull it around." He pulled on his jacket and left in a whirl of snow. Jaina stood in the doorway, anxiously awaiting his return. Suddenly she heard soft footsteps behind her. She turned to see Syal standing there. Jaina didn't speak, but continued to look out the window, waiting for Jag to arrive.

"I am sorry for their behavior," Syal said softly. "I will try to work on Soontir for you."

Jaina was shocked, and a little touched. "Thank you."

Syal laid a cautious hand on Jaina's shoulder. "I understand what you must be going through. Please do not suppose that I supported this."

Jaina turned to look at the older woman. Only kindness reflected from her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, afraid she would dissolve in tears. Such compassion in such an unlikely place. When she turned back around Jag and the speeder were waiting for her. She palmed open the door and stepped outside into the blizzard air.

Jaina refused to speak to him on the way back, and even when they arrived back. she got out of the hovercar by herself, and didn't spare him a backward glance as she climbed the stairs to her prison.

Jaina arose the next morning more depressed than she had been since she arrived. What a terrible day. Her wedding day. She gloomily made her self a pot of caf, downed it, and fixed two shots of liquor before she felt ready to face the day. She had just sat down to watch the Holonet, hoping to catch another glance of her family, when the door chime sounded. Annoyed, she got up to answer it. She looked through the small window to see Jag Fel on the other side. "What are you doing here?" she asked, yelling to make herself heard.

He frowned. "Are you not going to let me in?"

"Bad luck," Jaina said, glad for the excuse.

He sighed wearily. "Are you serious?"

"Deathly. The lest thing we need is more bad luck. What do you want?"

He was quiet for a few minutes. Finally, "To apologize for last night. After the conversation we had, I should have known enough to not interfere. If you want to apply, I'm no one to stop you."

Jaina took a step back, shocked and even suspicious at his admission. "Have you been talking to your mother?"

He frowned again. "No. What does she have to do with this?"

"Nothing," Jaina replied. "Thank you, Jag. That means a lot to me."

He nodded in a casual sort of way that seemed to say, 'well, don't try to make anything out of it'. "I just didn't think it would be right to marry you under the conditions we were in last night."

Jaina agreed silently. "I guess I'll see you later then."

"Okay," he responded. Jaina watched him turn and head back down the stairs. Feeling a little better—but only a little—she went back to readying herself for that evening.

There was no one for Jaina to share her wedding day with. There was no mother to cry with have that special talk with, no friends to laugh with. There was no father to walk her down the aisle. There were no brothers threaten the groom-to-be. There was only Jaina.

She stood in a side room at Justice Hall, examining herself in the mirror. She looked pale and frightened, homely even. Her hair was pulled back severely and the cap pulled down over her head, the veil draped over her face. She looked almost as if in mourning, except for the color of the dress.

She heaved a great sigh, and with it released every hope and dream she had ever had. They would be gone in a matter of minutes, with no hope of return. This was her life. This was as good as it was going to get.

A single tear ran down her face and dripped off her chin. She wiped it furiously, not afraid of smearing any makeup. She hadn't put on any. There was no bouquet, only a single white rose. In a short moment of amusement she imagined throwing it in his face and running out. But this was just something she had to do.

But she wouldn't go in without talking to her family first. She sat down at a desk, and punched in the series of comm numbers she knew by heart. A few seconds later there was a click and a sleepy-looking Jacen appeared on the screen. "Jaina!" he exclaimed.

"Hey Jace," she said softly. "Sorry to wake you. I never did understand that time difference stuff."

He looked at her appraisingly. "Are you just about to get married?"

Jaina looked down at her gown, as if in confirmation. "Yeah."

He gave her a pained look. Even though he was millions of lightyears away, she felt his touch on her heart through their twin bond. "You okay?"

She nodded sadly.

"You don't look okay."

"I just needed to see you before I could go through with this."

He looked around his room. "Just hang on a sec and I'll go get Ani and Uncle Luke—"

Jaina waved him off. "Don't wake them. I'll call you all later."

He looked dubious. "You sure?"

"Yeah. I love you Jacen."

His features, so like her own, softened. "I love you too, Jaina. You can do this. I have faith in you."

She nodded, forcing herself to not weep in front of him. "Thank you. I'll call you later. Tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

The connection fizzled out, and Jaina sat back, preparing herself emotionally. She could overcome this. She was stronger than this. She could do this. With nothing else to do, she grabbed her rose and opened the door, stepping out into the Hall.

The ceremony was short and to the point. There was no music or professions of love. It simply was what it was. Only his parents and siblings were in attendance. They all stood by solemnly.

Jaina tried to keep her mind off the situation, tried to lighten it in her mind's eye. She couldn't let herself think about how serious it was. Jag looked as bad as she felt. They didn't make eye contact, and when he placed the ring on her finger they both quickly shied away from the touch.

When it was her turn to say the vows, she did listen in all seriousness to what the officiator said. When he got to the 'love' part she found herself hesitate. If love meant to be loyal, to be faithful, to be willing to compromise, then…yes, she could do that.

"I do," she said quietly.

The process was repeated with Jag, and his answer was equally unenthusiastic. They hurried and signed all the appropriate documents, and the officiator pronounced them legally wed. They left the Hall in silence. There was no celebration or rejoicing, not even a congratulations. His family went their way and they went theirs. The ride home was one of the longest of Jaina's life.