Chapter 21
Jag had seen holovids of Corusant, as everyone had, but those did nothing to prepare him for the live show. As the Warrior's Grace reverted to realspace, Jag could do nothing but stare. The whole planet was like swirling constellations of light against a matte brown background, and the space around it teemed with ships of all sizes, a dizzying maze of spacelanes. He was riveted to the sight, unable to tear his gaze from the vortex of autofluorescent colors.
"Impressed?" Jaina asked from the copilot's chair, her voice carrying a palpable air of smugness.
Jag couldn't think of a response that could cover his wonderment. "That's...amazing." He tore his eyes from the planet to look at her. She was grinning at him, pride evident in her eyes.
"I never get tired of it either," she said, turning back to the controls. "Do you mind if I take her in? I can take us to Uncle Luke's personal landing pad. They're waiting for us there."
Under normal circumstances, Jag would have been appalled at the suggestion that he couldn't bring the ship in himself—and he still thought he could, and perfectly—but he would rather just sit back and watch. He moved aside, letting her take over the pilot's couch. She maneuvered the Chiss vessel expertly in and out of the weaving spacelanes, carrying them closer and closer to the Senatorial district. Finally she pulled out into the open, steering the ship towards an empty landing pad. As they settled down Jag looked outside at the three people waiting for them.
The first was a man, a few years younger than Jag's own father. He had shaggy, sandy blonde hair that whipped around his eyes in the wind, and intelligent blue eyes. He was of an average height, and at first glance was anything but imposing. But as Jag studied him further he could almost see the ripples of power exuding from him, and Jag wasn't even Force sensitive. He wore Jedi robes, the cape of which billowed and snapped in the wind. A lightsaber could be seen at his belt.
The boy beside him was not quite as tall, but Jag credited that more to age than genetics. Despite his obvious youth, his face was given a distinctly mature appearance by a dimple in his chin. His hair was dark brown, his eyes and icy blue. He bore a striking resemblance to the man beside him, even though Jag knew he wasn't the boy's father.
The third was taller than the other two, with brown hair and eyes the same color as Jaina's. He his countenance was more boyish, playful than that of his brother, making him seem younger even though there was almost a two year age gap. Despite this, he was evidently the older of the pair, having broad shoulders and a stronger build than the other.
Jaina eased the ship into a smooth landing, then unbuckled quickly and headed for the exit ramp. When Jag caught up with her she had already been ensnared in a hug by her twin, and followed suit with her other brother quickly. Then she moved to her uncle, who hugged her quickly but fiercely. Jag just stood at the top of the ramp, not sure what to do. Jaina turned to him and smiled. She came up the ramp and took his hand, pulling him down on the landing pad and in front of her family.
"Guys," she addressed her family, "this is Colonel Jagged Fel of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet; my husband. Jag, this is my twin, Jacen, my brother, Anakin, and my uncle, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker." Jag shook hands with each one of them in turn, trying to read them.
Jacen and Anakin both seemed wary and suspicious, but Luke seemed nothing but open and friendly. He greeted Jag with a genuine happiness, his smile broad. "Welcome to Coruscant, Colonel Fel. We've been eager to meet you."
"Call me Jag," he said as he shook his hand. "And I'm happy to meet you all as well."
There was an awkward pause for a few moments, and then Luke broke the silence. "Why don't you all come inside? We'd love to hear about what's happened since Jaina left."
"They seem friendly," Jag commented.
Jaina smiled at him and took his hand. "They'll warm up, don't worry. It'll just take time."
About then the three Jedi came back into the living room, carrying drinks for the five of them. Jaina and Jag gave them their thanks, then sipped gratefully on the refreshment. "So, Jag, Jaina tells me you have your own fighter squadron," Luke commented as he took a seat in a flowform chair across from where the couple sat on the couch. "I was one of the original members of the Rogues, back during the rebellion. But I haven't been in a squad in years."
"I thought you founded the Rogues," Anakin said.
"Well, Wedge was really more into it than I was," Luke said modestly.
"Wedge Antilles?" Jag asked suddenly.
Luke nodded. "You know him?"
"No. But he's my uncle."
Shock contorted their features. "Your uncle?" Anakin asked. "How?"
"My mother is Syal Antilles, his sister," Jag explained.
"Does Wedge know this?" Luke asked.
"That Jaina married his nephew? I don't think so. I'm not even sure he knows my mother's alive, let alone has children."
Jaina looked at him in sudden inspiration. "Why don't we go visit him tomorrow? He would love to meet you, wouldn't he Uncle Luke? And Wedge is great."
Jag looked skeptical. "How can you be so sure?"
"Well, he named one of his daughters Syal, for one," Jacen commented, then took a sip from his drink.
"Oh, come on!" Jaina said, excited at the prospect. "Wedge is terrific, he'll love you!"
Jag scratched the back of his head nervously. "If you really want to."
"I do," she said, finalizing the decision.
They chatted for a while longer, most of the conversation between Jaina and her brothers and uncle, with Jag listening silently. Finally Luke stood and stretched languidly. "I'm sure you two are ready for a break, after the trip you made. Why don't you show Jag the apartment, Jaina?"
"Okay," she said, rising. Jag followed suit. She led him through the house, quickly outlining the different rooms and the basic layout. But when she had finished he still hadn't seen her room.
"Where's your room? Or are we not staying here?"
Jaina looked anxious. "I would like to stay here, but my room's such a mess. I have speeder parts and tools everywhere. I don't think there'd be room for our stuff."
"It can't be that bad."
She raised an eyebrow, as if daring him to contradict her. "Think so? Come look."
She had been right. Cluttered was a nice word. There were different components to a dozen different machines scattered everywhere, and in between tools were doled out all over. The only clear surface was the bed itself. "Maybe you're right," he conceded. Sliding his arm around her waist, he gave her a sly look. "But staying with your family might have proved a bit awkward anyway."
She blushed at his insinuation, and punched his shoulder playfully. "Watch it, flyboy. You're flying in dangerous territory."
He grinned and pulled her a little closer. "Don't I know it." But as he leaned in for a kiss a voice intruded on their solitude.
"Hey! Did you guys get lost upstairs or something?" Jacen's voice yelled from the bottom of the stairs.
Jaina pulled away angrily, her eyes shooting daggers at the floor where his voice came from. "Just a minute!" She spun towards Jag her face red with ire. "He did that on purpose."
"What?"
"He sensed it, and he deliberately interrupted. I bet he's laughing his head off downstairs."
Jag just shook his head and steered her towards the staircase. "It's okay. We'll have plenty of privacy later."
They managed to secure a temporary apartment rather easily, and were moved in within an hour. It was simple but comfortable, and would suit them for the short stay quite well. Jag rested on the couch after he finished unpacking, and watched Jaina finish her own. She looked distracted, and Jag decided to ask her about it.
"There's just something I need to do that I'm not looking forward to," she responded flatly.
"What?" he prodded.
"Well," she began slowly, "I need to go visit my dad. I've finally learned how to forgive him, but I'm afraid telling him will be harder than realizing why he did it."
Jag sat up as he listened, resting his elbows on his knees. "He'll be so happy, Jaina, I don't think you have to worry about anything."
"Probably. But what if he acts like he doesn't care, that it doesn't matter what I think?"
"If he felt that way, you would never have forgiven him," Jag told her.
She smiled at him gratefully. "I hope you're right."
"I am. If this is bothering you so badly, why don't you go now? You won't be able to enjoy anything with it hanging over your head like this."
She looked nervous. "Do you think I should?"
He nodded emphatically. "Best to get it over with now, so you can move on."
Jaina grinned wryly. "That's the Chiss in you talking."
"Am I not right?"
"No, you are, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. But, like you said, I shouldn't put off the inevitable. Will you finish unpacking for me?"
Jag stood and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'll take care of everything. You just do what you have to do."
Jaina had to make a conscious effort to keep from fidgeting. It seemed to be an eternity before the door opened, and on the other side stood the man she had come to see. His face lit up with shock as he saw her, and his mouth worked even though no words came out. Jaina managed a small smile.
"Hi, Dad."
He just stared.
"Can I come in?" she prodded nervously.
"Uh, sure," he said, overcoming his lack of speech and moving aside so she could enter. "To, uh, what do I owe the pleasure?"
Jaina stopped and turned to face him. Han Solo, champion of the Rebellion, ex-smuggler, outstanding pilot, stood before her. Her dad. "When I came to see you a few weeks ago, I didn't really want to forgive you. I didn't like what had happened, and I didn't want to hear an excuse. I wanted to blame you for all I've been through."
Han shook his head sadly. "Jaina, I know you think I'm the worst father in the galaxy; and who knows, maybe I am. But—"
"Wait, I'm not finished," Jaina interrupted. He returned to his former silence, and she continued. "Recently, I was faced with a dilemma. I either uphold my duty to the greater good, or my seemingly lesser duty to my husband. I chose the greater good. But I did it as much for him, for our future, as for anything. And yet it tore me apart inside. It wasn't until then that I understood what you and everyone else has been trying to tell me." Tears brimmed in her eyes, but didn't fall. "I understand why you left me, Dad, because I had to make the same choice. And I know you wouldn't have made it unless you loved me enough to let me go." She did cry then, letting the tears stream unhindered and unashamed down her face. They blurred her vision, preventing her from seeing his expression, leaving her to wonder.
And then she was wrapped in his embrace, his big hands caressing her hair in a soothing manner. She could feel a wetness on the top of her head, and knew he was crying too. "Oh, Jaina," he said softly. "That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And I've had plenty of regrets." He stopped for a moment, voice choked with emotion. "But this moment makes it all worth it."
Jaina couldn't remember the last time she had been held by her father. Most of her paternal memories were linked to Luke, and there had been plenty of times in her early childhood when she had wished and even believed the Jedi Master to be her father. But she knew now that even though she didn't really know him, there was a blood link between them that could never be severed. She was and would forever be the daughter of Han Solo. And she bore the name with pride.
Jaina leaned against the door to the temporary quarters she shared with Jag, not yet ready to go in. She had remained at the Solo residence for a good two hours, catching up and filling in all the gaps in their respective lives. Two hours was hardly enough, but Jaina hoped she would have many more to look forward to. She had taken a good hard look at her past, said her goodbyes, and moved on. It was time to start a new life, one that included everyone important to her. That in mind, Jaina palmed open the door.
Inside was the last thing she had ever expected to see. Jag stood in the center of the main room, dressed in his most formal uniform, pressed and decorated with all his numerous accolades. He gave her a mischievous grin as she stepped inside and the door swooshed shut behind her. "What are you doing?" she managed finally.
"Sit," he said simply.
Jaina, not knowing what else to do, sat.
He came to stand in front of her, thought better of it, and knelt next to her chair. "Jaina," he began, "when we first met, I was anything but in love with you, and love was the last thing on my mind. I never took into account the thought that I might ever want anything to do with you in that way."
Jaina smirked sarcastically. "Well, this is real romantic."
He scowled, and she quieted. "Because of our situation, we never got to enjoy dating, flirting, the mystery that everyone else does. We've been deprived. And since then, we've both let each other down in the worst of ways. Our past, our beginning, is not a happy one. And so I bring you to the reason for this whole little monologue: I want to create a new one; a new beginning. A clean slate. I want to forget all the pain and heartache, every time we've stumbled, I want to forget it all. I want to start over with you, Jaina Solo, in hopes that maybe we can do a better job the second time around."
Jaina was speechless, dumbstruck with love at the sincerity and emotion in his voice. He was serious about this. How lucky could she be, to have fallen into such a bad situation and found an diamond underneath it all? Was it even possible to love him any more?
Obviously seeing her at a loss for words, he stood, continuing on where he had left off. "And so, if you will permit me, I would like to begin tonight." He took a moment to collect himself, and suddenly he was much more formal, entreating. He bowed slightly to her, bending at the waist in a stately gesture. She detected the slightest hint of amusement as he rose, a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth, but that was all. "I am Colonel Jagged Fel of the Chiss Ascendancy. I was wondering if you would be willing to do me the honor of accompanying me to dinner tonight?"
Jaina could barely suppress her laughter, and managed to contain all but a few giggles. Carefully she put on her most serious face. "Well, I don't really know you, do I?"
Jag frowned at her attempted humor, but that made it all the funnier. "Are you going to take this seriously or not?" he asked, momentarily breaking character.
"I'm sorry," she replied truthfully, trying to reign herself back under control. "Can I try again?"
He gestured for her to proceed.
She flashed him a dazzling smile. "I would be delighted, Colonel. Lead the way."
As an act of symbolism as well as sentiment, Jaina wore the same dress she had worn that first night on Csilla, at The Fantasy. The atmosphere really wasn't that different, she mused as she looked around. Minus the Chiss, of course. This time the open-air restaurant was filled with a multitude of different species, and the ocean view from their perch was real. Jaina reveled in the love spilling from them both, wishing it had been this way the first time.
But as he had said, this was their new first time. A clean slate. So—in the context of that evening, anyway—she was still an unmarried teenager, free and independent, on her first date with a young colonel from a different society. Jaina tried to place herself in that frame of mind, forget all that they had done and been through, and just try to act as she would if this was the first time she had ever seen him.
She still found herself overcome with the want to laugh at the ridiculousness of it at times, and she could tell he was in much the same predicament. While they both made a show of their new-found roles, every once and a while they would share a secret glance of private amusement before slipping back into the playful personae.
"So, Colonel," Jaina smiled with overdone interest, "tell me about your family."
Jag sat back, a roguish twinkle in his eye. "Well, my mother is Holodrama star, and goes by the stage name Wynssa Starflare. My father is a former Imperial Baron, and now and Assistant Syndic to a Chiss House Phalanx. During the height of the Emperor's reign, he was a new template for thousands of new cloned stormtroopers, and had his own TIE squadron, the celebrated 181st. My eldest brother Chak died several years ago, as well as one of my other brothers, Davin, and a younger sister, Cherith. Living, I have a younger brother, Cem, and a younger sister, Wynssa."
"Well," Jaina said, "that's quite a colorful list."
Jag smiled at her over the food and flickering candlelight. "What about your relations?"
They made for quite a pair, didn't they? Jaina realized. How did two people with such equally mixed up backgrounds end up together?
"Let's see, where to begin," she mused aloud, her voice thick with humor. "I guess I should start with my grandfather. Anakin Skywalker was a Jedi in the Old Republic, but fell to the dark side and helped Emperor Palpatine destroy the Order and bring about the formation of the Empire. He was injured in a battle with his former master, and so survived only by the grace of a mechanical suit of armor. His Sith name was Darth Vader. His two children were hidden from him and separated, but eventually found each other and together brought down the Emperor and restored Anakin to the light. His daughter, Leia Organa Solo, is my mother and Chief of State of the New Republic. Her twin brother Jedi Master Luke Skywalker is my uncle. My father is a former smuggler, who flies around in a broken down old ship with a Wookiee copilot name Chewbacca. I have a twin brother, Jacen, and a younger brother, Anakin, my grandfather's namesake."
"Hmm, I think your list might be just as unique as mine," he smiled.
Jaina couldn't contain her laughter any more. She fell into a fit of giggles, holding her side until it hurt. Eventually they came back to themselves, and continued on with the dinner in the manner they had before.
It was a light-hearted mood that had been absent from their previous relationship. Jaina loved being able to relax with him, to have fun and act their age for once. Such occasions were so rare. And Jaina knew that it would be over soon. The next morning they would wake up with the responsibilities they had temporarily cast aside, but for tonight Jaina was determined to make the most of it.
They walked home slowly, arm in arm, silent. There was no need for words. Jaina could feel innately everything he did, everything he thought. And even if she hadn't been able to read him through the Force, she would have known. It was written all over him.
Jaina was glad that this night had taken place on Coruscant instead of Csilla. It would have been special either way, but they seemed much less conspicuous in the teeming masses of the eternally lit planet. They could be themselves, and Jaina could tell that even Jag felt more at ease here where he wasn't constantly on display. They were anonymous in the multitude, random. No one stared, because everyone there was so individual who could decipher an oddity from the norm?
She found herself wishing this was the way it would always be. Just her and Jag, no interference from others. Even on Coruscant, there were so many who knew them and had expectations for them. They would never be free of the public eye, of the federal demands. They were, essentially, slaves.
But even as she mused on this, it didn't bother her. Tonight was too perfect, too grand for her to feel anything but joy. All other emotions were washed away by her happiness.
As they approached the door to their apartment, Jag began type in the access codes. Jaina pulled his hand away with mock reproof. "Colonel, what are you doing?"
Jag tossed her a puzzled look.
Jaina propped one hand on her hip and raised a questioning eyebrow. "You're not expecting me to sleep with you on the first date, are you?"
His expression was priceless, one of uncertainty, half-way between laughing at her jest and wondering if she was serious. Jaina laughed aloud in her mirth before placing a kiss on his chin—the highest place she could reach from her petite stature. He smiled and finished opening the door.
Inside they wasted little time, shedding shoes, jackets, and shirts before finally falling in tangled mass on the bed. Jaina grinned against his lips in her anticipation, but it was short-lived. He pulled away, coming to kneel on at the end of the bed and pulling her to sit breathlessly on its edge. "What's wrong?" she asked, short-winded.
He said not a word, but reached inside his pants pocket to pull out a small velvet box. Jaina gasped up its opening. The ring inside was classically beautiful, simple and radiant as its diamond shimmered in the low lights. "Oh, Jag," she breathed. "Where did you get this?"
"Jaina," he asked, ignoring her question, "will you marry me?"
She honestly didn't know what to say. Perhaps he was taking their whole playful charade a little too far. "Jagged Fel," she said, loving reproach in her voice, "I already did."
He shook his head. "Our first wedding wasn't really between us, and you know it. It was a union between two republics, symbolized between us. It meant nothing in the realm of our love. I want to marry you. For real. I want to know that if we had a choice, what you would say. So answer me. Will you marry me?"
Jaina sat, dumbfounded. Their play-acting suddenly didn't seem so humorous any more. Carefully she slid off the bed and onto the floor beside him. She took his head in her hands and kissed him powerfully, pouring her emotion into the touch. But she pulled away just as quickly, knowing the kiss would not be answer enough for him, straightforward as he was. "Yes, Jag. I'll marry you."
"Don't act so formal. He's your uncle, for goodness sake," Jaina admonished while ruffling his otherwise perfectly smoothed jacket.
He frowned, pushing her hands away. "This is who I am. I shouldn't change for him."
Knowing argument was pointless, she turned back around in her seat, folding her arms across her chest. The General's aide ignored them, continuing to type away viciously at her datapad. They sat in the spacious anteroom, awaiting audience with one of the Rebellion's greatest heroes, and and the Republic's greatest fighter pilots. Wedge Antilles was as much Jaina's family as he was Jag's, as far as she was concerned. He was her holdfather, and had babysat her and her brothers while Luke was away on Jedi business numerous times. He was a very old friend of Luke's, all the way back to the Battle of Yavin, if Jaina's memory served her correctly.
The intercom buzzed. The aide listened intently to her headset, then raised her eyes to look at Jaina and Jag. "General Antilles will see you now," she said.
Jaina stood, but pressed Jag back down into his seat. "Let me go first."
He raised a skeptical brow, but otherwise didn't argue. Jaina passed quickly through the door into the inner office, where the General smiling behind his desk. He stood and came around to the other side to embrace her. "Jaina," he smiled, "how have you been? I mean, since, you know..."
Jaina smiled gratefully. "I'm doing great, Wedge."
"Good!" he beamed, then motioned her to pull up a chair. He went back to sit behind his desk. "So, I admit I'm a little surprised to see you here. I had though from what the media said that you wouldn't be back for some time."
Jaina shrugged in dismissal. "Just passing through."
Wedge smiled, not pressing. "I hate that you had to decline that admission into Rogue Squadron. Gavin was looking forward to having you. After the way you decimated those simulators, he thought he was going to have a real ace on his hands."
"Well, I could hardly do otherwise. But that's not why I'm hear. I was wondering, do you have any family still living? Besides Iella and the girls, I mean?"
Wedge looked puzzled. "What do you need to know that for?"
Jaina shrugged again, this time noncommittal. "I'll tell you in a minute."
He sat back in his chair, studying her before he answered. "My sister disappeared some years ago, and my parents died long before that. So, no, I have no one else."
Jaina nodded. "Well, I bring you good news, then. It seems that your sister is alive and well, and raising a family with her husband in the Unknown Regions."
"What?" Wedge gasped. "How do you know that? And her husband, Soontir, died. She can't have had a family with him."
Jaina shook her head. "It was all faked, both their deaths. Soontir is an Assistant Syndic in the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet. Syal and he had six children."
Wedge was speechless. "Why...why didn't she ever tell me?"
"I think it had something to do with security measures. But there's someone here who can explain all this a little better than me. I'm just the delivery girl." Jaina stood and walked to the door that led to the outer office. She motioned for someone to come inside. She moved out of the way, and a tall, handsome young man with black hair and green eyes stepped through the door. A crude scar ran along his forehead and back into his hairline, and a lock of white hair celebrated the mark.
Jaina turned to smile at Wedge. "Wedge, this is Colonel Jagged Fel of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, and my husband. Your nephew." She paused a moment to let this sink in, then turned to Jag. "Jag, this is General Wedge Antilles, you uncle."
Both men barely moved. Finally Wedge stood for the second time and went to embrace his recently discovered family. Jag returned the hug somewhat awkwardly, uncomfortable with the emotion in his uncle's face. "I am so happy to meet you," Wedge said when he pulled away.
"I feel honored to meet the man my mother has spoked so highly of for so long as well," Jag returned.
"Tell me," Wedge asked eagerly, "how is Syal?"
"She is well," Jag said. "I think that—"
His reply was cut off as the door irised open once again, this time unannounced. The woman who stepped inside was none other than Leia Organa Solo. Jaina reeled in shock. What was she doing here? She had impressed the importance of keeping her presence a secret so firmly on Han, too...
"Jaina," Leia breathed. "So it is you."
"Hello Mother," Jaina replied rigidly.
"Leia," Wedge inquired, "what are you doing here?"
Leia turned a slightly softer expression on the General. "I'm sorry for the intrusion, Wedge, but I need to speak to my daughter. Privately."
Wedge hesitated for a fraction of a second before acquiescing. "Come on, Jag, let's give them some privacy."
"Jag?" Leia queried.
Jaina took a deep breath. "Mother, this is Jagged Fel. My husband."
Jag bowed deeply in response, with even more rigidity than usual, if that was possible. Leia formed her lips into a thin line. "Welcome, Colonel Fel."
"Thank you," he said simply, then let Wedge lead him from the room.
"You shouldn't just kick Wedge out of his own office like that," Jaina admonished.
Leia turned an angry stare on the younger version of herself. "What are you doing here, Young Lady? Do you know how breaking even the most minute part of that contract could effect us? It could ruin everything!"
"I can't belive Dad told on me," Jaina fumed aloud, not paying her mother's rantings any mind.
"He didn't," Leia corrected with no lack of bitterness. "Though I still don't understand why not. Threepio let it slip."
Stupid droid, Jaina thought. "Are you here just to hound me? Because it's unnecessary. We're going back today."
"Good. But I'm not done. You shouldn't be here, but it's even worse that you brought him along. The Senate doesn't trust the Chiss, and you bringing him here might suggest you've switched sides and are providing them with information they shouldn't have."
How do they get off calling this thing an alliance? "I was never on any sides, so its impossible for me to switch," Jaina snapped.
Leia's face turned red with anger. "Are you here because they asked you to come? Are they spying on us?"
"No," Jaina hissed. "They don't want us here any more than you do. We came of our own free will."
Leia took a moment to take this all in before preceding. "I want you to go back to Csilla. Immediately. Patch up any rocky relations, do whatever you can to patch things up. I worked to hard to establish a truce to let you ruin it."
Jaina was mortified. "I'm not your ambassador! And I refuse to play any part in your ridiculous political games. Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Because if I do you'll pull another stunt like this! If you aren't the perfect little carbon copy of your father..."
"Good," Jaina snarled. "The last thing I want is to be anything like you."
"Now that was uncalled for," Leia said reproachfully.
Jaina snorted in annoyance. "This whole damned business is uncalled for. You know, I don't know why I ever did anything you said. And from now on, I'm not going to. I am my own person, and you're not going to dictate for me any longer."
"Fine. Be as stubborn as a bantha. But if you're still on Coruscant tomorrow I'll have you deported."
Jaina didn't grace her with a response, but stormed outside and drug Jag out of the building behind her.
"If hate wasn't of the dark side, I would really hate her right now. But I guess I'll have to settle for extreme dislike," Jaina vented as she paced back and forth through their apartment.
Jag made no response. If anything, he seemed more troubled by the outcome of her encounter than she did. Jaina didn't have time to ponder it. She was too enraged.
"The nerve of her! Like I'm scared of being deported. Well, if she thinks I'm intimidated by her, she should see some of the other things I've had to face." Jaina stopped her pacing to face him. "But I guess she has her methods. It's the only way she's going to force me back to Csilla."
"You can't go back to Csilla," Jag said softly.
Jaina did a double take. "What?"
He sighed heavily and buried his head in his hands. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want to hurt you. They've exiled you, Jaina, for stealing those files. You're never allowed back in Ascendancy Space again."
Jaina didn't know what to say. Slowly she sat down on the bed beside him. "Does this mean I'm...homeless?" she spoked the word with such distaste Jag winced.
"I'm so sorry. But there's nothing I can do when the Four Families make a ruling. I would have fought it, Jaina, but they had already come to a decision before I ever knew anything about it. I'm so sorry."
"Where," she said, fighting back tears, "where will I go? They don't want me there, they don't want me here. What am I supposed to do?"
Jag took both her hands in his. "I'm not abandoning you to this Jaina. Wherever I go, you go. And if that means I never go back to Csilla again, well, so be it."
Jaina's vision clouded over with moisture. "I can't ask you to do that."
"You didn't. I decided it before I ever told you. And," he hesitated.
"What?" she prodded.
He turned away, then slowly came back to look at her again. "I have an idea. When I went to the Empire, I marveled at how it integrated all the Chiss ideals but made me feel so much more at home because it was made up of my own race. They didn't judge me. They're not the cruel people they were. They're just another group of people in this galaxy trying to survive."
What he was saying finally sunk in. "You want me to join the Empire?" Jaina asked, disbelieving. "After my Uncle gave so much to destroy it?"
Jag shook his head. "Luke fought to destroy the Emperor. Now that he is dead, as well as all his warlords, there's nothing barbaric about them. They just have more of a militaristic style. Pallaeon is good man."
Jaina was still skeptical. "I don't know, Jag."
"This is a place where we can both be ourselves, where no one has obligations they want to shove on us. We work of our own free will. We can be happy here. But more important, be can be happy together. I know we can make a life with the Remnant, do all things we've always wanted to do. You could even have your own squadron." Jaina's eyes twinkled at the suggestion. Jag smiled. "This is the kind of opportunity we shouldn't pass up. And even if you don't know much about them, can't you trust my judgment enough to believe me when I say that we could be happy there? I wouldn't lie to you Jaina. Please. Will you come with me?"
Jaina's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, and she reached out to caress his cheek gently. "Do you even have to ask?"