Chapter 5
"Do you think she'll return?" Soontir's doubts over sending Jaina to the Known Regions were no secret to the Grand Admiral quietly reviewing the file on Garqi.
Thrawn took a moment before answering. "She is not one to leave her destiny behind. When the Empire of the Hand is needed, I don't doubt she'll return." Soontir was quick to catch the nearly paternal note in Thrawn's musings. Thrawn had dedicated the last 16 years of his life to raising Jaina, and she had truly blossomed. For all her refusal to be tamed, she was a brilliant student. For all her impatience, she was remarkably detail oriented and precise.
He only hoped Han would forgive them. Why Han's forgiveness mattered to him wasn't something he truly understood. Soontir knew that it should have been Han, not him, who guided Jaina through her first words and steps. It should have been Han who guided her small hands to the controls of her first fighter. He had stolen a lifetime's worth of memories from his old classmate, and he had no clue how he'd ever look Han in the face again. A situation he knew he may not be able to avoid. He'd seen the look on Jagged's face when Jaina appeared in uniform the morning they left, and the look Jaina had given him in return. If those two kept it up, he'd not only have to face Han, he'd be related to him.
And what would his wife think of him? Syal's opinion was the most important to him. How would she react to finding out he was the one responsible for Jaina's kidnapping? It was the secret he most regretted keeping from her.
Only time would tell if the abduction of Jaina Solo had been the right decision.
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Han Solo tried to force himself to breathe. The Chimaera hung dead ahead, and his daughter was on that ship. The handful of days since he had received Pellaeon's call passed in a blur. He'd pinched himself nearly constantly while talking with her. Exhaling, he forced himself not to dwell on the fact that she'd spent sixteen years being raised by Thrawn. She was still his daughter, no matter who had raised her.
Pellaeon had been kind enough to warn him that she had arrived with a Chiss fighter squadron, and was flying under the command a Colonel Jagged Fel. With his luck, this was probably some relative of Soontir's. The thought of Soontir teaching Jaina to fly made his hands twitch with a nearly uncontrollable urge to break something. He'd been robbed of sixteen years with Jaina, sixteen years he'd never get back. Her first right hook, teaching her how to fire a blaster… He'd never get those years back. The pain and anguish would not be forgotten. They'd torn the galaxy apart looking for her. Han didn't remember taking the Falcon into the hangar bay and landing. He didn't recall unbuckling his crash harness or opening the ramp.
He would, however, always remember seeing Jaina fly across the hangar, brown ponytail whipping behind her, and launching into his arms. At some point, Leia had joined them, and he never wanted the moment to end. As Jaina pulled back, he took a moment to really look at her. The brown eyes held a rebellious streak, and she still had the cocky grin that was the Solo birthright. She was small, just barely taller than her mother, but she carried herself with the same grace and confidence that defined Leia.
After a few minutes, Jaina waved a dark-haired man forward. He wore the same uniform as Jaina, and came forward with a step that spoke of military discipline and training. After taking a moment to study the man's face, Han realized this must be Jagged Fel, Jaina's commanding officer. The resemblance to Soontir was almost uncanny. As Jagged's eyes met Jaina's, he realized he didn't get his little girl back for five minutes before having some cocky flyboy to chase away.
A talk with Fel was definitely in order. No way was any son of Soontir's touching his daughter. The intensity in the colonel's eyes when he looked at Jaina meant trouble. The smile she shot back meant even deeper trouble. Perhaps Colonel Perfect needed a black eye to match that perfectly pressed uniform. Whatever relationship the two had, it was definitely much more than commanding officer/subordinate.
"Mom, Dad, this is Colonel Jagged Fel, my commanding officer." Han was mildly surprised that Jagged threw him a sharp salute before turning to Leia and offering a rather formal bow. First point to Colonel Perfect. That was fine; Han could make him sweat anyway.
"So, Colonel, how long have you known my daughter?" Jaina's scowl indicated she knew exactly where he was going. Han didn't care. He'd just gotten Jaina back, and he was not about to share.
"I have known Major Solo for six years, General." That the colonel was able to meet his gaze without flinching was impressive. The look he was giving the younger man was enough to intimidate almost anyone.
"And you've been her commanding officer for how long?" Jaina's glare was every bit as impressive as her mother's, no doubts there.
"She joined my squadron approximately a week ago."
Jaina quickly stepped between Han and Jag, cutting off further questioning. "Dad, Jagged is a good friend and my commanding officer. He is the one who fought to get me out here. He's the reason we were able to have this reunion today. I'm not asking you to like him, but I am asking you to respect him." The fire in her brandy eyes and stubborn set to her jaw let Han know he'd lost this one. But somehow, the loss didn't seem so bad. If this kid was the reason Jaina was here, maybe he could forgive him. Jagged Fel went up against Thrawn for Jaina, and that was no easy task.
"How did Thrawn take that?"
"I spent a solid hour answering for my intentions concerning Major Solo, and being advised of the consequences of crossing any lines." Jagged's face was perfectly neutral, but his eyes told Han just how trying that conversation had really been. Han didn't doubt that facing Thrawn was no easy task.
"And what are your intentions, Colonel?"
"Perfectly honorable, I assure you, General." Han didn't know why he found himself trusting this young man. He'd learned long ago to trust his gut, and something told him Jagged Fel truly had Jaina's best interests at heart, and was willing to walk through hell for her.
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"So, Thrawn asked you about your intentions and you never felt the need to tell me before telling him?" Jaina's fury was unmistakable, and yet there was something about it that thrilled him to his core. He knew he couldn't wipe the grin off his face as she stood there fuming, even though it only enraged her further. Yes, he liked fighting with Jaina. But he knew that if he didn't answer her, things would only get worse.
"Jaina, I hardly anticipated that being the conversation topic. I care for you, deeply. I knew how badly you have wanted to see your family, and I was not going to let that chance go by. I do not in any way regret fighting for your happiness, and I would do so again without a second thought."
"And what did you tell him your intentions were?" Her fury may have dulled, but the fire in her eyes burned as bright as ever.
"I told him that I had every intention of ensuring your safety, and would protect you with my life. He asked if I intended to ask for your hand, and I explained that neither of us are ready to consider such a step. It's not a decision that either of our parents, or Thrawn, has any say in. One day, we may want to discuss marriage, or we may decide to stay simply as friends. Either way, it is our decision, and we'll make it together when the time comes."
"Jag, I… You really told him it was our decision?" Her raised eyebrow nearly made his heart skip a beat.
"I did."
Slowly, Jaina settled herself on the bunk next to him, tucked against his left side. "When I marry, Jag, I want it to be for love. I want what my parents have, what your parents have. I refuse to settle for a marriage based on power, which seems to be all the Chiss understand."
He placed a gentle kiss on her hair and simply hugged her tighter. On impulse, he shifted his hand to tickle her ribs, and was rewarded when she squealed and attempted to wiggle away, covering her retreat with a pillow.