Engaging Behavior

Missing Scene: Sometime between Omen and Abyss the Solos find out Jaina and Jag are engaged.

Disclaimer: George Lucas owns this galaxy far, far away...

Fun Fact: This story was originally one brief scene and then started growing crazy, multiplying-bunny style so I ended up writing most of it backwards.

ENGAGING BEHAVIOR

Part 1

Jagged Fel sat in his speeder outside the entrance to the Jedi Temple that was obscured from public view. It was nice to have a moment out where he didn’t have to worry about any members of the media watching him or rushing up to his vehicle. He'd even put down the driver’s side window to get some fresh air. Ashik had insisted on following him over in an unmarked speeder, but allowed Jag to wave him off once he was on Temple property. Now Jag smoothed his hands over his black dress pants in an attempt to prevent any wrinkles. Scrutinizing his fitted green shirt he removed a piece of lint that had found its way to his shoulder. Jaina had insisted on this particular shirt because it didn’t look "too Imperial"... and it matched his eyes. Jag smiled at the thought and turned towards the figure he'd spotted out of the corner of his eye. He'd been hoping it was Jaina but instead found Kyp Durron making a line straight for him. He could smell Kyp's algoraspice cologne before the Jedi Master even reached the speeder.

"Uh oh. Captain Grim's smiling. The galaxy must be at its end," Kyp quipped as he rested an arm on the speeder’s roof.

"Nice to see you too, Master Durron."

"Right. Titles. I can never remember yours. Isn't it something like Grand Supreme Moff Highness...?" Kyp asked, raising an eyebrow in the process.

"Something like that," Jag deadpanned.

Kyp half-snorted. "Have to say, Fel, never saw this whole Empire thing coming."

Jag’s response was sincere. "Can't say I did either..."

Kyp shifted his weight and leaned in. "Well from what I hear you're doing an admirable job. And these days it's nice to know a government leader who doesn’t want to put all of us around here in cages."

"Thanks. I'm doing what I can to make that opinion more widespread."

"The Order thanks you," Kyp stated dramatically and followed it up with a ridiculous mock bow. When he lifted his head back up, he pushed up the sleeves of his Jedi robes and locked eyes with Jag, adding more quietly, "Seriously." Jag acknowledged it with a nod.

"So... I'm guessing you're waiting for Jaina."

"He is." Both men turned to the new voice. Jaina stood there in tight black pants and a light silvery-gray sleeveless tunic, a short nerf-hide jacket slung over her arm and the translucent upper layer of her tunic floated for a moment in the breeze. "And I'm here now so you can stop giving him a hard time," she said pushing a finger into Kyp's chest before rounding the speeder to the passenger side.

Kyp waited until she was inside and had given Jag a kiss on the cheek before leaning back down into Jag's window and teasing, "What? No dress, Jay?"

"Do my dresses upset your stodginess, old man?" she quickly returned. Jag stifled a laugh.

Kyp ignored him and pushed the point. "I've seen you wear more dresses in the past several months than I've seen you in your entire life. When you were a kid I saw you actually run away from a dress a time or two. So forgive me for finding your current fashion choices so... odd."

She raised both eyebrows at him. "Circumstances change, Kyp. Maybe I appreciate not having to be in a jumpsuit or my robes from time to time. Ever consider that?"

Kyp stepped back and put a hand over his heart. "Excuse me. I have to go inside and see Cilghal. I think... I’m dying... from shock."

Jaina just shook her head. Jag smiled and said, "We hope you pull through, Kyp, but we really should be going now."

Kyp dropped the act, nodded and replied, "Just like old times... the three of us together. You two trying to run off to go make out somewhere..."

"Goodbye, Master Durron." Jaina did what she could to resist rolling her eyes.

Kyp smiled and reached his right hand out to Jag. "Good seeing you, Jag."

Jag clasped Kyp’s outstretched forearm. "You too, Kyp."

* * *

Great encounter! I've always thought that Kyp and Jag had some sort of grudging respect for each other. Your banter here represents that beautifully.

Can't wait to read the rest!

Great

Thanks, you two! I wish there was more Kyp & Jag interaction in profic. Part two coming up momentarily.

Part 2

As soon as they were away from the Temple and merged into a lane of traffic, Jaina smiled slyly at Jag and said, "I like your shirt." He reached out for her hand and when she gave it to him he squeezed it and replied, "I certainly would hope so." He then spared her a glance and was immediately sorry he did. The smile she was giving him made him wish they weren’t in a speeder - well, not in public anyway. She instantly picked up on his thoughts.

"If all goes well tonight, I’m sure something like that could be arranged..."

That definitely didn't do anything to suppress his current feelings. He tried to shake them off anyway. "You mean like if we leave your parents' place and your father hasn’t shot me?"

"Ha! He didn't shoot you last ti..." She had gotten quieter as her words dropped off. All had been forgiven between Jaina and Jag but the fact remained that they'd been at this status of their relationship before and it hadn't been ultimately.... successful.

Jag squeezed her hand again and vowed, "I don’t think I'll ever be in the same room as Han Solo and not think there's some possibility that I could get shot. And I think he likes it that way." When he could tell his statement had cleared the air he added, "By the way, I think you look especially beautiful tonight - even if you aren't wearing a dress. In fact... sometimes I like it best when you're not wearing a dress at all..."

She playfully smacked him in the shoulder and they rode the rest of the way to the Solos’ apartment in comfortable silence, holding hands.

When they arrived in the Solos' private parking bay she moved to get out of the speeder but he kept hold of her hand to stay her. She shot him a questioning look and he told her to open the small storage compartment in front of her seat and take out the slim black box that was resting inside. When he told her to open the box he enjoyed her sharp intake of breath in response to what the box held. Jaina pulled out the thin silver chain to get a closer look at the ring that hung off it. The ring was silver in color, like the chain, and mostly platinum. Jaina smiled when she recognized the thin band of titanium that ran through the center - a metal used in making the hulls of both X-wings and clawcrafts. The smile disappeared though and her mouth dropped open when her eyes reached the two black Corusca gems held flush in a tension setting. They glowed with the light the bounced around inside them.

As she let out the breath she'd been holding she murmured, "Jagged Fel..."

"Here," he said as he took it from her hands and placed it over her head. Once the chain hung around her neck, she held the ring between her fingers and inspected it some more. Then she looked back at him, raising an eyebrow and inquired, "Corellian tradition?"

“Yes. It's supposed to go on your finger of course, but since we decided our engagement would be private I put it on the strand. Plus now you won’t have to worry about losing it when you’re working on your X-wing."

"Get out of the speeder. Now."

Jag would have been worried if it wasn't for the grin plastered on her face. As soon as he stepped out, closed his door and started to straighten his shirt, she was on him. Her hands no longer held the ring. Instead they were on either side of his head, bringing it down to hers. The resulting kiss was anything but gentle. He took hold of her hips and smiled into the kiss as she pushed to deepen it. Jag had put a lot of thought into designing that ring, integrating a passion that had brought him and Jaina together and was one they still shared - flying. The metals, the blackness of space - apparently Jaina had noticed those details and was eager to show her appreciation. After another minute he regretfully pulled away.

"You're welcome," he intoned. She laughed and it brought even more joy to his heart to see her so at ease. So many things had been wearing at her recently. "We should really stop increasing the odds that your father will shoot me though. They'll wonder if we aren’t upstairs soon."

"Probably. But you know, I'm not sure Corellian tradition dictates that the ring be this perfect." He beamed down at her as she continued, "And I bet if you asked my father, he'd say Corellian tradition is actually giving your intended a planet... and kidnapping her."

"Well..." He took her arm and wrapped it around his as they made their way toward the lift. "My father would agree with the absconding but he'd say that happens after marriage."

They stepped into the lift. She pressed the button for the entrance to her parents' home and then tucked the necklace into her tunic. "Well I like your interpretation of the tradition better."

"Me too. Less hassle."

"Definitely."

* * *

Did I mention this story is six parts?

Part 3

As they walked down the hall to the apartment's front door, Jag's comlink started to chime. They both stopped in their tracks. "Really?" Jaina groaned. "I thought you said..."

"I did. Ashik is not supposed to contact me unless it’s critical." The comlink continued its rhythmic chiming and Jag removed it from his pocket. "Why don't you go in and I'll find out what’s going on? I'll get him off the line as quickly as I can." Jaina just stared him down. "I promise," he insisted.

"Ok," she sighed. She received a quick squeeze of her hand as a thank you for her compliance before she continued down the hallway. As she reached the door and pressed the buzzer, she could hear his brisk tone even though she couldn't quite make out the words.

Her father opened the door. "Hey, sweetheart," he said as she stepped inside. He pulled her into a Wookie-sized hug before looking around. "Where's Fel? Decided he bit off more than he could chew?"

Jaina's eyebrows lowered as she stared him down. "Dad...," she warned.

Han feigned one of his infamous Who, me? looks before Jaina shook her head and relayed, "Jag's in the hallway. He got a call from his off-oof." A small black-haired being had slammed into Jaina’s mid-section.

"Jaina!"

"Hello, you." Jaina said as she got down to her niece's level and returned Allana's overzealous hug. She still held on to her for a few second after the girl had let go. It'd taken a while but more and more often now Jaina felt joy in the presence of her niece instead of the pain, sadness, and sometimes even guilt affiliated with the loss of Allana's father and the role Jaina had played in it.

As Jaina stood back up Allana looked up at her and smiled, probably sensing her aunt’s happiness in the Force. "Hey! Want to see my nexu cub? She's in my room. Grandma didn't want her out here while we were eating dinner."

"We had some crazy pets when we were little but I still can't believe she was able to talk you two into a pet nexu," Jaina said to her father.

Han rubbed his hand over his face. "Some days I can’t believe it myself," he warily returned.

"Does she have a cage?"

Allana looked at Jaina quizzically, "Why would she need a cage? She’s nice."

Han shook his head. "We already had her quills dulled, talons clipped, and they put this thing in her mouth so she can't bite down too hard.”"

"That all?" Jaina laughed. "Did you name her yet?"

"I’m trying to decide between a few, but I have to figure out which one suits her best," Allana eagerly replied. She grabbed Jaina's hand and yanked it a little. "C’mon. Let's go see her. She's going to be lonely while we’re eating."

"Just a second. I want to go say hi to Mom first."

As if on cue, Leia stepped out of the kitchen. "Jaina, I thought I heard you," she said as she walked over. After the two women embraced, she held Jaina at arms length and asked, "How are you holding up? All recovered from your day of heavy lifting and media battling?"

"Yeah," Jaina smirked. "I can’t tell you how glad I am to be done with that." Jaina would have wished to never be in the presence of Javis Tyrr again but she knew his interest in her and the Jedi wasn't going away any time soon.

Leia let her go and smiled. "Jag still coming?"

"Yeah. He had a call. Hopefully he'll be in any minute."

Leia nodded understandingly. She'd had plenty of inopportune calls during her time as a head of state. "Where's your dessert? I'll put it in the kitchen."

"Oh!" Jaina smacked her own cheek. She'd forgotten it in all the excitement in the parking bay. "It must still be in the speeder. Sorry. I’ll go..."

She was cut off by the door chime. When she went over and opened it, Jag was standing there holding the dessert box - the dessert he’d picked up when Jaina commed to tell him how she'd promised her mother that she’d bring dessert and then had totally forgotten to get anything.

Jaina smiled with relief and took the box from him as he entered the apartment. He is really on his game today.

"Jaaaaaaaaag!" Allana instantaneously called out as she slammed herself into him much as she'd done with Jaina.

"Hey, there," he laughed as he patted her on the back. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" Allana nodded and released him but stuck close.

"Everything ok?" Jaina inquired.

"Yes. Well it's fine now. Really boring stuff though. I'll tell you about it later."

"Oooh. Boring? Can’t wait," she replied, the sarcasm thick in her voice.

Leia quickly hugged Jag and said, "Well we're glad it won’t be keeping you from dinner. If you'll excuse me, I just want to make sure dinner is all set so we can start soon." She plucked the box out of Jaina’s hands and disappeared into the kitchen.

Han proffered an arm to Jag and as Jag clasped it, Jaina caught herself checking to see if her father's blaster was on his hip. No holster. No blaster. Jaina almost laughed at her momentary concern. While the two men exchanged pleasantries, Allana slipped her hand in Jag's and bounced a little with anticipation. As soon as she found an opportunity she inserted herself, "Jag, you’re just in time to come with Jaina and me to visit my pet!"

"Oh yeah?" Jag replied. "I heard it was a nexu."

"It is!" Allana beamed. "But don't worry, she's just a baby."

Smiling, Han interjected, "You two go see it. I'll go help Leia finish up."

Allana didn't even wait for Han to finish talking before she started pulling Jag towards Jaina. As Han made his way into the kitchen, Allana used her free hand to grab Jaina's and then practically skipped down the hall between her two captives as they went to visit her hundred-tooth pet.

* * *

The ring sounds absolutely perfect.

That is surprising.



This post has been edited by FelsGoddess on Jan 15 2011, 10:59 AM

Love, love, LOVE the ring! Ditto the way Jag presented it!

Allana is so wise beyond her years. She knows a good man when she sees one!





Three more chapters... and SOON, too!!! Great job so far!

Thanks, both of you!
This story just kept wanting to be longer - even longer than six parts but I knew I was running low on time. I'm more than happy with how it turned out. I haven't written this much in quite some time.

Also... I not-so-secretly love the ring.

Next part coming in a couple of minutes. I'm not entirely sure of my schedule for the next 24 hours so they might all be here pretty soon.

Part 4

After a fortunately uneventful viewing of what turned out to be the sleeping nexu cub, all five of them sat down for dinner. It was a comforting meal of runyip stew, spiceloaf and a simple salad featuring binka fruit. Conversation stayed on lighter topics such as the latest repairs on the Falcon and a few amusing stories from Leia's time heading up The New Republic. Everyone was now slowing down and finishing up the food on their plates. Jaina was reflecting on how nice it was to spend a quiet evening with her family when Allana suddenly erupted, 'Ooooooooooooooooooooh!"

Han shifted his gaze in her direction but kept eating. Leia looked less then thrilled with the outburst but was clearly still concerned. Jag just raised an eyebrow and Jaina snickered asking, "What was that?"

"I just remembered something!" Allana returned, half jumping out of her chair.

"Would you like to share it with all of us? Calmly?" Leia patiently asked.

Allana retook her seat. "I remembered I had a question."

"You’ve had a lot of questions, princess," Han murmured. Leia smiled at him but then quickly shook her head, returning her attention back to Allana.

"Remember when we were on the Falcon and we were learning about her owners and I had that question for Aunt Jaina but then I never asked her because stuff happened and I forgot about it the next time we saw her?"

"No, honey. I can't say I do." Han replied. Leia shrugged and shook her head, "Sorry, sweetheart."

"Well it's ok because I just remembered and it's better now because Jag is here."

"Allana," Jaina laughed. "What is this question?"

"Are you going to marry Jag?"

Jaina coughed. Jag grabbed her hand under the table. They'd wanted to tell her parents but Allana's abruptness caught her off-guard. Jaina shifted in her seat to make eye contact with Jag. An instant silent conversation passed between them and she took a deep breath before turning her head back to Allana.

"Yes."

"Reeealllly?!? Ohhhhhh that'sgoingtobe sooooo great! Grandma, canIgeta new dress for the wedding? I think I'd look nice in blue." Allana continued to yammer, but Leia's attention was focused on her daughter.

"Jaina?" Leia asked quietly.

"We planned on telling you tonight. We just thought we'd wait until dessert, but... well..." Jaina caught Jag's eye again and smiled before addressing her parents. "Jag and I are engaged."

"Again?" Han remarked. He was immediately silenced by his wife's elbow and a stern Han. "Jaina, that's terrific," Leia said warmly, a large smile spreading across her face. "Your father's just startled..."

"I am not startled," Han insisted as he rubbed the sore rib he'd just acquired. Leia shot him a look but Han persisted. "I'm just..." He sighed and collected his thoughts before continuing. "I'm just... curious as to how they're going to work this out... the whole..." He waved his free hand out in front of him. "...Empire and Jedi thing."

Jag spoke up. "And that's a completely valid concern, Captain Solo. It's also something Jaina and I have discussed. You should both know that I still fully intend to bring the Empire into the Alliance. With both of us being officially on the same side and the eventual clearing up of the illness certain Jedi are experiencing, things should be a bit easier logistically-speaking."

"So it might be a while before the actually wedding...," Jaina added. "...probably at least a couple years."

"Well..." All eyes fell on Han. "It's about damn time," he said emphatically, his face shifting into a grin. Leia stood up, threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed her husband on the cheek before heading around the table to her daughter. Jaina's resulting grin matched her father's. Jag squeezed her hand before they both stood up and stepped around their chairs.

As she turned to meet her mother, Jaina saw her father heading towards Jag out of the corner of her eye. And as Leia excitedly wrapped Jaina in a hug, Jaina could hear her father's hand slap down on Jag’s shoulder as he leaned in to quietly say, "I trust you still remember our conversation from last time, Fel."

Allana joined the Solo women hug as Jag responded, "Without a doubt, Captain Solo."

Jaina could only imagine what her father had said to Jag the last time their relationship looked this serious. Her father said, "Good. My promise to you still stands." And the way he said "promise" instantly gave her a better idea of what he probably said. She craned her neck and saw the two men clasping forearms and she gave Jag credit for always seeming to know the right balance to strike with Han Solo.

After giving her niece and mother another squeeze, she felt her father's arms wrap around all three of them. They stood there a moment before Allana extracted herself from the group and skipped over to Jag, who scooped her up. As the girl rested her head on his shoulder, she whispered not-so-quietly, "I didn’t want you to feel left out, Uncle Jag."

Jaina fought off getting choked up as she watched the two of them from between her parents. Not only was she touched by the liking Allana had always had to Jag, but she looked forward to the day when she'd see Jag scoop up one of their own children. Leia soon went over to Jag. He managed to free up an arm while still holding Allana to encircle Leia as she hugged and congratulated him.

"Have you two shared the good news with anyone else yet?" Leia inquired eagerly.

"No," Jag said. "You three are the first."

Leia's eyes lit up. "We may just have to throw you an engagement party then." Jaina could see the party plans already beginning to take form in her mother’s head.

"I'm afraid that'll have to wait too, Mom."

"Why?" Leia asked, clearly disappointed.

"We didn't plan on telling anyone else soon,” Jaina started.

Jag chimed in, "We'd like to keep it private for a while - enjoy it without media or Moff interference, among other things."

Leia nodded in understanding but Jaina felt bad for crushing her mother's excitement so she added, "We appreciate your offer though, Mom. When the time comes we'll let you know."

After Jag had returned Allana to the floor, Leia said, "Of course. Well, I think it's at least high time for some celebratory dessert. Han, would you help me clear the table?"

"Actually," Han replied, an arm still wrapped around Jaina’s shoulders. “It'd be better if Jag and Allana helped. I'd like to spend a few minutes with my daughter." Leia shot him a skeptical look. "Can’t a guy talk to his little girl alone?" he retorted.

"It's no problem," Jag said, already starting to pick up leftover food.

Allana had started collecting utensils when she suddenly stopped and questioned, "Wait. If Aunt Jaina is a little girl, what am I?"

* * *

That is soooo "excited little girl". Great writing!

Awwwww!

Your Allana is just fantastic!



More, please...

Thank you, Scrubs!

I'm especially glad that you like Allana. At first I was having trouble deciding how to approach her since she's been written differently lately depending on the author. Then I decided to just write an eight year old... who happens to be an unknowing source of comic relief.


Well... since you asked for it... next part coming up in a few minutes.

Part 5

Han and Jaina sat next to each other on the couch in the narrow enclosed balcony of the Solo apartment. Made of a special transparisteel, the large windows were one-way and the light from the ever-glowing city was the only illumination in the room.

After a few moments of silence during which they both just watched the traffic pass by, Han mused, "So... out of all the beings in the galaxy..." He laughed a little.

"Daaaad," Jaina smiled, looking at her feet. "Jag’s a good man." Her father didn't say anything, but when she glanced over at him she thought she could see him smirking. "The whole son of your biggest rival thing wasn't on purpose, you know."

He laughed at that. "Wasn't it though?" he teased.

"No. And if it wasn't for Uncle Luke, he wouldn't be an Imperial either."

"I just..." He looked at her before returning his gaze to the lights. "It's been nice having you around here again. And... well, I'd hate for that to end."

"I'm not going anywhere yet, Dad." She put a hopefully comforting hand on his knee. "And we don't know where we'll be for sure yet. A lot can happen in a couple years. Maybe I'll be part of a Jedi presence in Imperial territory... Maybe the Empire will stabilize so Jag can find a reliable successor; he could step down to an Ambassador position and we could live here.... who knows. But you know that if I end up on Bastion, I'd make sure you and mom could visit any time - no matter what the political situation." She leaned sideways against him, putting her head on his shoulder and he shifted to put his arm around her.

He kissed the top of her head and then said softly, "I remember when you and your brothers would play 'Chase Away The Imperials'."

Her lips curved up at the memory. Sometimes they'd borrow their father's sabacc cards and whomever drew a stave first would have to be the Imperial. After he caught them doing that, they switched to having a contest to see who could hop on one foot the longest - the winner choosing who had to be chased. From there on out, it was basically a lot of running. She began to tear up so she tried to press forward by reminding her father that it's not the same Empire - not with Jag in charge.

"I wonder how much hell they’d be giving you right now." His voice was a little rougher now.

Realization dawned on her. This wasn’t just about the Fels or the Empire or watching your little girl get married. She was his only surviving child. And that made everything that much harder. Eventually she quietly replied, "I'd hope not too much."

He held her a little tighter and they watched the traffic for a few minutes again.

Han let out a long sigh. "Jag really makes you happy, doesn't he?"

She lifted her head and sat up more so she could look him in the eye. "Yes. He really does."

"Good."

He released her and she said, "I bet they're almost ready for dessert." He nodded and she offered him a hand, knowing that if it wasn't just the two of them he'd have given her a hard time for even offering. Instead she helped him up and then gave him a big hug.

"I love you, Dad."

"I know, sweetheart. I love you too. Congratulations."

This fic makes me happy and frustrated at the same time.

It makes me happy because it's such a great story with very well written characters and happy stuff.

It makes mu frustrated because I can't believe that profic authors don't write anything close to this in canon books.

Your Allana is hilariously cute.

The bit between Han and Jaina was so sweet.

Only had time to read part one so far - great start.

Will be back to read the rest tomorrow!

Such a great scene between Han and Jaina.

Always comes down to that for Han, doesn't it?

Thanks, all!

Chimpo, I share your frustration. And with that being said, thank you for your high compliment.
Also... are the quotation marks appearing for you in this one? I've been replacing them within the post window.

And yes, Scrubs. I don't think Han will ever get over it.

Last part coming in a few minutes. Bittersweet. I almost can't believe I wrote a fic and finished it within two weeks. I love this challenge.

Thanks to everyone for reading.

Part 6

Jaina stepped into the kitchen and found her mother handing dishes to Jag to put away on the shelves. Allana was sitting on the counter, playing with a spoon and quietly singing to herself.

"Allana?" Jaina caught the girl's eye. "I think Grandpa's looking to see what’s on the HoloNet. Why don't you go keep him company?" Jaina walked up to Allana and put out her hands to help her hop down. Allana made the jump with no trouble, and Jaina stood with her arms crossed watching her niece skip out of the kitchen, still singing and still holding the spoon.

Leia handed Jag the last dish and they both eyed Jaina with concern. "Everything ok?" Leia asked.

Jaina managed a small smirk. "Don't worry, Mom. He was well-behaved."

Her mother flashed her a grin before turning back to the cabinets to decide what was needed for dessert. As she reached for the caf supplies, Jag stopped her saying, "Leia. You deserve a break. Jaina and I can get dessert ready."

Leia gave him a pleasant smile and responded, "You know... I am completely willing to take you up on that offer." As she moved near Jaina she conspiratorially whispered, "He’s good. Feel free to keep him." And with that she patted Jaina on the shoulder and walked out to find Han and Allana.

Jaina walked over to the cooling unit to pull out the dessert Jag brought. She moved it over to the counter and as she set it down, she could feel Jag standing behind her. He wrapped his arms around her as she opened the packaging protecting the air cake. Then, after the cake was out, she turned in his embrace, grabbed ahold of his shirt and buried her head in his chest. He just held her, waiting for when she was ready to speak.

It was a minute before she released his shirt and just lay her hands there flat. And it was another couple of minutes before she lifted her head off him and spoke at his chest, "I'm not sure I deserve this happiness."

He brought his right hand up to her cheek and gently tilted her head up so their eyes met before returning his arm to its place wrapped around her.

"What makes you say that?"

"Anakin... Jacen."

She knew she didn't have to explain any further. From all their conversations during her recovery after her battle with Cadeus he knew exactly the guilt and sadness she was referring to. And she was grateful for that familiarity - especially right now.

"Jaina." His voice was softer now. "I'm fairly certain you’ve been through all nine Corellian hells. If anyone deserves to experience happiness, it's you." She kept her chin up, but cast her eyes down. He continued, "Your brothers loved you. They would have wanted you to live your life - not just for them, but for you." He laid a gentle kiss on her forehead and another on her cheek.

Her eyes met his again and she smiled wistfully. "I guess...," she breathed out.

"It's ok. I'm here to remind you when you forget."

She slipped her arms up around his neck and hugged him.

"...that and to hand your choobies to you in the holosims so you don’t get too cocky."

That evoked a gasp out of her - partly because Jagged Fel said choobies. She chuckled as she said, "You wish, laserbrain."

"Challenge accepted," he murmured lowly before capturing her lips in a long, slow kiss.

* * *

FIN!

Everything okay