The darkness grew heavier, yet Jag refused to turn on the lights. Thrawn would not accept no for an answer. Jaina's time had run out, and they both knew it. It was entirely one thing to tell Thrawn that she refused, but the reality was quite different. The depths of his miscalculation in bringing her to Nirauan weighed heavily on his shoulders. He'd known the offer had come in, but what he hadn't realized was the bidding war between the Csapla and Sabosen had become incredibly heated. The Sabosen's initial offer was tempting, but the current offer was staggering. Jag knew he could never afford a tenth the sum they were offering, not even if he mortgaged everything his family had possessed for the last several generations. The financial agreements alone would ensure the best fleet possible being sent to meet the Vong, and it would be a fleet capable of truly crushing them. Her marriage to the Sabosen family could very well ensure the end of the war. He tried not to think of the children who were already orphaned, and how many more would lose their entire family in the war if Jaina didn't accept. He knew he was being selfish, and yet he'd give anything to prevent the chain of events that now seemed inevitable.

In the face of the galaxy's future, what was love between two people? Did the parents who would never see their children again love any less than he? Was the future they would lose any less important than his? He knew he wasn't the only one who wanted to grow old with the woman he loved, with children and then grandchildren playing at his feet. Logically, it was millions of futures against his own. So why did his heart scream so loudly that it was wrong? Would the galaxy really be served by his whisking Jaina away? And yet, how would he survive without seeing her smile? He'd dreamed of waking up, the sun highlighting her delicate skin as he held her close. His entire future lay before him, and in every image Jaina's smile dominated. Without Jaina, he could only see an empty void. As his thoughts swirled ever deeper, he refused to acknowledge the tears slowly tracing their way down his cheeks. He'd never thought one could be forced to choose between their soul and the survival of the galaxy. Despite the late hour, he knew he needed to speak to General Solo. If anyone could understand his situation, it was going to be the aging general.

Han knew this was his daughter the kid was talking about marrying, and that he was honor-bound to threaten him with a blaster at least a few times, and carbonite just for effect. And yet… He just couldn't bring himself to do it. The utter despondence radiating from Jag made any form of threatening hollow at best, cruel at worst. When the younger man explained the terms of the Sabosen offer, he knew exactly what was on the table. It was exactly the type of offer Leia had received from Hapes, and Han hadn't reacted any better. At least the kid wasn't a drunken mess yet, or acting like a ronto's behind. But he knew those tortured emotions all too well. Against his will, perhaps his better judgement, he found himself siding with the poor kid.

"Sir, if I can arrange a counter offer, would I have your blessing?"

"Well kid, I can't say I know how to conjure up the money to beat their offer. Even I'm not that good at Sabacc. But if I know anything about Thrawn, it's that he respects strategy. So let's give him one he can't argue with."

The hope in Fel's eyes was almost too much. Not for the first time, he wondered what he was doing. Jaina was seventeen, Jag nineteen. Neither were remotely old enough for this. But he had to remind himself that Jaina and Jag were both raised Chiss. In that society, they were of age years ago. Leia just might kill him for this, but it was Fel or some random Chiss family that would likely never let her see the Known Regions again. He'd lost his daughter once, he wasn't going to lose her again. And definitely not to some blue-skinned stranger who would only view her as a trophy. He didn't doubt that Fel loved Jaina, he knew the look in the kid's eyes all too well.

"You have my blessing, but there are conditions."

"Name them."

"One: I expect a good and lengthy engagement. Two: If Thrawn says no, we blast off this rock immediately. Three: I expect to see Jaina regularly, regardless of where she is."

"I accept. And General, thank you."

"No more of this general shavit. You're family now, like it or not. Call me Han. Now, let's get down to business, and list out all the reasons this Sabosen thing is a really bad deal."

***********************************************************************************

"Colonel Fel, I have been expecting you." As he gazed at the young man before him, his thoughts were drawn to that fateful day seven years ago. At the time, Jagged was an unsure child trying his hardest to enter the realm of adulthood. Now, very little of that boy remained, however he didn't doubt that the man would advocate for Jaina just as heatedly.

"Grand Admiral, I have come to submit my offer for Major Solo's hand."

If he were human, his eyebrows might have shot up through the ceiling. Bold, even for a Corellian. Even with their penchant for impossible odds, all logic would have told Jagged that there was no possibility of his suit being accepted. What could he possibly offer that would compete with the Sabosen's offer?

"You are aware of the terms of the Sabosen's offer?"

"I am."

"And you can provide a more compelling one?"

"I can." He didn't miss the deep breath Fel took before continuing. "I can offer her a home where she is loved for who she is, respected as a warrior and a leader. Where she is allowed to shine, and her skills appreciated and maximized. I offer her a position as an equal at my side, not an ornament on my shelf. I believe you may find the Sabosen's offer financially compelling, but they will not want to risk their investment being lost. They would hide her away, keeping her caged so as to minimize the risk of anything shattering their tie to the Nuruodos, meanwhile destroying plans that have been in motion for seventeen years. I offer her the ability to do what she has been born and trained to do, to lead House Nuruodo as you have intended from the start. Further, by keeping her hidden away, allowing a marriage to the Sabosens will greatly weaken the Ascendency's position with the New Republic, and possibly the Empire, both of which expended considerable sums in order to locate her. In addition, you and I both know Jaina well enough to know that she will not stay with the Sabosens. Whether it requires escape or suicide, she would not allow herself to stay locked in a palace. The terms with the Sabosens are not supportable, nor are they enforceable. No matter what, the treaty would be doomed to fail."

Critically, he eyed the young man in front of him. The uniform was immaculate, each medal carefully polished before being hung in its rightful place. Alongside the Chiss medals shone several from the New Republic. Fel stood ramrod straight, only the slight redness in his eyes signaled anything less than pure professionalism. Clearly, Fel was emotionally involved and the dark circles under his eyes hinted to the lack of sleep. There was no doubt the young man spent his night formulating a way to ask for the impossible. The arguments he laid out were valid, and questions he'd asked himself on more than one occasion.

"Did you come to these conclusions on your own, Colonel?"

"I admit I had help from General Solo."

"Has General Solo agreed to your proposal?"

"He has, on the condition that the engagement is lengthy and with the understanding that we leave at the first sign of your refusing it."

An uncharacteristic smile graced Thrawn's features. A simple push of a button summoned Jaina to the office. It didn't take long for her to sweep into the office, attired in an elegant day dress he recognized as the one he bought for the small ceremony promoting Jagged to colonel just before they'd left for the Known Regions. She was able to turn her head his direction, although she was still temporarily blind.

"Jaina, in addition to the offers from the Csapla and Sabosen, I have received a third offer this morning. Colonel Fel has offered for your hand, and I am inclined to give my approval to the match." He didn't get to finish speaking before Jaina had launched herself into Jagged's arms, nearly knocking him over.

"I consider the matter settled. Colonel Fel, I will hold you to the terms of your agreement."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

As Jaina turned and wrapped her arms around him, Thrawn understood what it meant to be a father. He'd long understood paternal pride and affection, but until this moment had never truly understood what it meant to love. As he returned her embrace, he understood why Jagged had faced him that morning, and that morning all those years ago. Why Admiral Parck and his wife would sacrifice so much to make Jaina smile. Why Soontir stayed up anxiously awaiting news of Jag each day. The Sabosens be damned, Jaina's happiness was worth it.