Chapter 5

The Fel mansion looked just as picturesque in the day as it did at night. Jaina let her eyes roam over its elegant architecture as she pulled the speeder into the parking bay. She turned the engines off and just sat there a minutes, not wanting to go inside.

It had little to do with Syal, but had everything to do with her at the same time. She had been kinder to Jaina than the rest of the Fel family, but was more intimidating in her own way. Jaina liked her okay, but wanted as little to do with her as possible. She wanted as little to do with all of them as possible. Getting close to Syal Antilles Fel was the last thing she wanted.

But what do you do when she asks you over for lunch? She couldn't turn her down, that was for sure. Jaina may not have been raised by Leia Organa Solo, but she had certainly been given enough lessons to behave like the daughter of a Princess. She knew how to act.

Deciding to take the plunge, she opened the door and stepped outside into the frigid air. Her extremities went immediately numb in the cold, and she hurried to the door. Wyn was waiting when she got there. "Hi!" the little girl said, moving aside so Jaina could come in.

"Hi," Jaina said with less enthusiasm. She slid gratefully out of her bulky coat. She heard footsteps, and turned to see Syal approaching.

"Jaina," Syal smiled, "it's good to see you again. How have things been?"

"Okay," Jaina nodded, not wanting to elaborate.

"Well, come on inside then. Are you hungry? We were just about to eat."

Jaina followed Syal into the kitchen. "No, thank you. I'm fine."

Syal didn't eat either, though, but sat down across the table from Jaina. "So," she began, her blue eyes searching Jaina's face, "tell me about married life."

Jaina sat for a moment in silence. This was a conversation she really didn't want to have. What did she expect her to say? "I…" she began, feeling awkward. She scratched the back of her head, wanting to change the subject. "It's different," she said at last.

Syal grinned like a cat who has just caught a mouse. "I should say so. Tell me, how old are you?"

"Sixteen," Jaina softly.

"Hmm," Syal murmured. "My, my. You're both way too young for this."

Jaina chose wisely to remain silent.

"I hope you have at least become more comfortable around each other. The tension between you was so thick the other night I could have cut the air with a knife. I hate to think you both have been living that way for days."

Jaina looked at her hands, folded in her lap. Unless a question was posed directly at her, she would give Syal nothing to go on. This was not a topic Jaina was comfortable with.

"I don't mean to pry, really, it's none of my business," Syal continued. "I'm just concerned for my son. And you, of course, too. That's really not even what I asked you here to talk about. What I want to know, is how extensive of a wardrobe did your mother send for you?"

Jaina was taken aback. What did that have to do with anything? "I, she, well…she sent quite a lot, but not much of it is to my taste. I was planning on replacing it."

Syal nodded. "Just as I thought. Well, then, come with me." She rose gracefully and left the room. Jaina, perplexed, followed. She led her up a marvelous staircase and through several hallways before opening the door to a room. It was a guest bedroom, richly furnished and plush with luxuries. But what caught her attention was the endless rows of hanging ballgowns.

Jaina moved into the room, awe-struck. She ran a wondering hand across the silk fabric of one, marveling at the smoothness. "What are these for?" she managed finally.

"I know my son too well. He wouldn't have even mentioned it until the day before. A highly decorated General is returning from the outer edges of space, and there's going to be a reception aboard his flagship. The Chiss aren't much for pageantry or fanfare, but love to glorify a warrior. I'm guessing it won't be near as political or lavish as what the New Republic does, but will be a cause for formal attire nonetheless. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of selecting a few dresses for you to choose from. There aren't many places you can by gowns in the Ascendancy, and it would be far easier for me to get them for you than have you look for them yourself."

Jaina was speechless. She suddenly remembered something her mother had once told her. She recalled it vividly because it was one of the few times she had ever had real contact with her. She had been six, probably, and was watching Leia get dressed for a political function. Leia had taken the opportunity to impart a few words of advice for her daughter. Dresses and jewelry are like ships, she had said. The ones that are thought most beautiful are sleek and elegant, not ornamented and clunky. A few ribbons or rhinestones here and there add, but overdo it and it looks as bad as wearing trousers. Ships that are big and bulky move more slowly. It's the same with dresses. You want something small and comfortable, something you can be secure in. You're never more beautiful than when you're at ease with yourself. Jaina had never forgotten that, and had taken her words to heart.

If her mother's statement was true, Syal had impeccable taste. There wasn't a dress in the room that Jaina wouldn't wear. They all fit her style perfectly. "Thank you so much," she breathed. "I don't know which one to choose."

She moved down the line, looking from dress to dress. After going over the line at least three times, she made her selection. It was long and dark blue, and showed little skin though it would hug her figure. It was simple and tasteful, just upscale enough to pass as formal attire. After thanking Syal profusely, she hurried back to the apartment with the dress in tow.

Jaina was beginning to think that practicing in the middle of the day was a bad idea. She had thought the squadron would be practicing their own maneuvers. She had bee wrong.

They all stared as she walked quietly along the outer edge of the gym. She wanted to hide, to disappear, but it was too late. If only they would stop staring! She gritted her teeth, and opted to not let them dissuade her. Jag had given her permission, therefore she had just as much right there as they did.

She pulled the lightsaber off her belt and ignited the blade with the distinctive snap-hiss. She then flicked on the droid she had been given. It hummed to life, and in a few seconds was ready for combat. Its electronic eyes settled on Jaina as its own blade whirred to life. She pounced first this time, lowering herself into the steady pulse of the Force. She closed her eyes, letting it control her limbs, not even caring which way she went, but moving correctly every time. The droid managed to keep up, but she got the impression that if she pushed she could defeat it.

A sudden clang behind her in the mill of Chiss soldiers caused her to stop suddenly. She switched off the droid with a flick of her hand. All the pilots were staring at her, their red gazes piercing. "How do you do that?" one, a female, said finally.

"The Force," Jaina answered. "It guides me."

"Could you do that without the Force?" another said.

"Not nearly as well," Jaina replied.

"Why are you here?"

Jaina pursed her lips. "Colonel Fel is my husband."

"Did he say you could be here?"

"I did," a new voice interjected. All heads turned to see Jag standing at the far side of the room. "It looks like you've made a captive audience of my pilots," he said, walking slowly towards Jaina.

"I didn't mean to interrupt."

Jag shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Come on, I need to talk to you anyway."

Jaina followed him back into an office at the other end of the gymnasium. When inside he said, "I hear my mother invited you over today."

"She did. She was kind enough to give me a dress for the general's reception," Jaina replied, eyeing him closely.

Jag winced. "Sorry. I had been meaning to tell you."

"It's fine. Is that all?"

He shook his head. "What I have to say was pertaining to the general, though. Word was sent today that even though he is returning, there is a definite possibility he will have to go back with reinforcements; even that that is his purpose. If he does, Spike Squadron will go with him."

Jaina nodded, slowly, the implications setting in. "I'll be left by myself."

"Exactly. I needed to let you know that it was a possibility."

Jaina took a deep breathe. It was what she had wanted, after all. To be left alone. But not with the possibility of Jag's death hanging over her. Now that they had come to an understanding, he wasn't that bad. An unwanted obligation, yes, but she certainly didn't want him to die. But it was only speculation. Maybe he wouldn't even have to go at all. She told him so. He smiled softly. "Maybe you're right."

Jaina had just sat down to eat lunch when her comm center started going off. She sighed, praying it wasn't Jag's secretary. When she depressed the button, it was the last person in the world she had expected.

"Mother?" she managed.

Leia Organa Solo smiled politely. "How are you, dear?"

Jaina didn't know what to say. "How do you think I am?" she snapped before thinking.

The smiled faded from the Chief of State's face. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"How would you feel if you had been dropped off on an alien world and married to a complete stranger against your will?" Jaina asked.

Leia scowled. "I get enough of this from your uncle, you know—"

"Well obviously not enough. I can't believe you would do this to me!" Jaina repressed the tears she felt forming and focused instead on her anger. She would not show any weakness.

"I did it for my people! It was my duty as Chief of State."

"Your duty is to get a peace treaty by whatever means necessary, even selling off your own daughter? Come off it," Jaina scoffed.

"I did not place this call to be spoken to in this manner," Leia hissed. It was the voice she only used when wanting to command complete attention, and had been known to silence riotous Senate debates. It certainly stopped Jaina in mid-rant. "Now. Calm down a bit. I'm sure it's not near as bad as you say." Jaina bit her lower lip until she was afraid it would bleed. "It's a worthy sacrifice for the galaxy. But enough of this. I just wanted to know if you'll be needing any more funds."

Credits. She was wanting to buy off Jaina's forgiveness with credits. Jaina wanted nothing more than to turn them all down, but thought the sweeter revenge would be to take all that she could get. "Yeah. Quite a bit, too. In fact, you might just want to make a monthly deposit into my account. Married life is more expensive than I would have thought."

Leia looked skeptical. "How much is quite a bit?"

"A few thousand, at least."

"Don't you think that's a bit much?"

Jaina put on her best angry-face, which wasn't hard at the moment. "Hey, you asked me, I'm just telling you. I don't think I can get by with less than that."

Leia sighed. "All right then. I'll have it deposited tomorrow."

Jaina didn't reply or offer thanks. She just cut the connection. Feeling drained and less satisfied than she would have hoped, she wearily finished her dinner in peace.

A small tickling at the edge of Jaina's consciousness pulled her from her slumber. She had turned in early, feeling depressed. But something had woken her. A few seconds later she heard it again. "Jag?" she asked softly.

"It's me," he answered quietly. "You can go back to sleep." Jaina rolled over, looking in the direction that his voice came from. She could make out the faint image of him taking off his boots.

"Why'd you come in so late?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

"Tell me now," she said, sitting up.

"Jaina, just go back to sleep—"

"I'm not going to be able to sleep now anyway. Tell me what's wrong."

He sighed. "One of my pilots was in an accident."

"How bad?" Jaina asked quietly.

"She's in critical condition," he whispered.

"What happened?"

"They claim she was hit by a stray laser on the shooting range, but I don't think it was an accident," he murmured.

Jaina swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat on the edge, facing him. "Do you know her well?"

Jag was quiet for a long time. "She's my best friend."

"Oh, Jag, I'm so sorry," she whispered. "What's her name?"

"Shawnkyr," he said softly. He buried his head in his hands, and for a minute Jaina thought he might cry. But she heard no sobs even though he emanated agony through the Force. After a few moments of this she got up and went over to where he was sitting and sat on the arm of his chair. A little uneasily, she wrapped a comforting arm around his broad shoulders. He leaned gently against her, taking consolation in the sympathy she offered.