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Topic:
The Best of Us - J/J, Han - post-NJO AU ...A Special Thank You...
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oldjedinurse
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 1:32pm
Subject:
The Best of Us - J/J, Han - post-NJO AU ...A Special Thank You...
- Date Edited:
2/26/06 12:54pm (86 edits total)
Edited By:
oldjedinurse
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Title: The Best of Us
Author: oldjedinurse
Timeframe: Immediately post-NJO, before TJK - AU
Characters: Jaina Solo, Jag Fel, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, Jacen Solo, canon characters
Genre: Drama
Keywords: Jaina, Han, Jag
Summary: Jaina makes a life-altering decision that infuriates and alienates her father, and leads to life-threatening consequences for all of her loved ones.
Notes: Completed
**************
The sequel to Best of Us: Nothing is Certain
Disclaimer: I am merely playing in a park dedicated to the Lucas Empire. George Lucas owns everything Star Wars. He and a stellar group of authors own the many characters brought to life in books full of SW stories. I own nothing – I’m in this for the fun of it.
**************
Special Character Note:
The part of Berel Scripsen is being played by our own Rebel_Princess89! Don't miss her entrance in Chapter Twelve.
Her award-worthy performance will continue!
oldj
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The Best of Us
Prologue
Jaina Solo woke up to the now familiar coldness of winter on Zonama Sekot. She reached to pull the thick comforter up to her shoulders. As she did so, her hand touched warm skin that didn’t belong to her.
Jag.
Closing her eyes, she replayed the last eight or so hours. The highlights, anyway, and there were quite a few of those. Satisfied yet again, she carefully rolled to her side and watched him.
Jagged Fel. We’ve been – what? Friends, partners, wingmates, and now, lovers? I told you that I couldn’t go to Csilla with you, for now. You were disappointed but you understood. Then we kissed and talked for hours, and came here to my temporary quarters, and...well.
Where do we go from here? I still don’t want to go to Csilla. There are other things for me to take care of right now. I need to decide what to do with my life. I need downtime. I need time to myself.
Jaina watched as Jag took a quick, deep breath and stretched before finally waking. Green eyes met brown. One smile called for another. “Good morning, Colonel. You’re out of uniform.”
Jag laughed, then quickly sobered as he reached out to touch the chocolate silk of her hair.
“As are you, Colonel.”
He, too, was remembering the hours they’d just spent together. He needed time to think. Desperately. He glanced at his chrono.
“Kriff. Jaina, I have to report in. I’m late. I’ve got to get out to my ship.” He was already out of bed and pulling his clothes together. Jaina watched him and listened without comment. Nice view from here.
“I don’t have to leave Sekot just yet.” He pulled the flightsuit up over his broad shoulders and started the zipper. You look so beautiful lying there. “Let me take care of business, then maybe we can get some breakfast?”
“Sure. I know this wonderful little place on the other side of the ice-covered meadow...right next to where my father parked the Falcon.”
“Very funny.”
“Good thing my Dad’s not a Jedi. One look and then we’d be...”
“Dead?” Jag winced. He didn’t relish facing Han Solo under those circumstances.
Jaina noticed his discomfort. “Okay. Seriously. I can find us something and bring it back here.”
Jag nodded, then leaned over and kissed her lightly. “I’ll be back.”
***
Jaina had set a small table for their meal when Jag returned. It was obvious that his report had not gone well, or else something new was happening – he looked so serious. Almost as grim as when I first met him.
“Jag? What’s going on?”
He had been avoiding her gaze. Now he slowly raised his head, those familiar eyes finding hers.
“I’ve been recalled immediately. I’m to leave without the squadron if they’re not ready.” Watching Jaina carefully, he continued. “They’ve changed their minds about the GFFA. The families have decided to pull back, take a more cautious approach. Instead of an Ambassadorship, they have decided to let the military promote me to General.” Jaina felt sharp pride radiate from him as he paused. “My new assignment is in the Berassa region – its as far out from Csilla and known space as you can go.”
“I’m to set up new Chiss military posts on several planets. They’re to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Chiss in the area.” Again, that pride flared into the space between them. “There are rumors of a lot of strange activity out there. It will be, uh, interesting, to say the least.”
He said, ’It will be.’ He wants this. Very, very much. Jaina drew upon the Force to calm herself. “Of course, you want to go.” She crossed the room to stand before him. “Jag, I’m so proud of you – the Chiss are giving you an incredible responsibility. You have to go.” She meant that sincerely, despite the pain in her heart.
He looked into her eyes for any sign that she was lying. Or pretending to be happy for him. He saw only love and his own pride reflected there.
What do I do?
“Jaina, I might not be back, not for an awfully long time.”
She swallowed to keep her heart from rising to her throat. “Or perhaps, never?”
There is no fooling you. “That’s possible.” His regret was almost physical, yet the words needed to be said.
It might even be likely.
A long silence fell between them. The room seemed to grow colder as each retreated into their own thoughts. Finally, Jaina gave voice to hers.
“You must go. You want this, I can feel it. Jag, you have always made the most of your career. You’ve succeeded as an alien in a very tough society to the point that you are one of a handful of ‘outsiders’ who has their trust and respect. You are as qualified for this job as anyone else they have – more so than most. Your whole life has led you to this.”
“You can’t say no.” Jag opened his mouth to speak, but Jaina motioned for him to wait.
“In spite of the war, our few years together have been wonderful. Right now, today, we feel love for each other. But you know that I’m not ready for anything more. How will we feel about each other when, and if, the time comes when I do feel ready? The fact is, we don’t know. Lots of romances start in wartime and turn to dust when peace comes. Its all the intense experiences people share in a war. We could easily be having a ‘wartime romance’ and we just don’t realize yet that we’ll eventually flame out.”
“You can’t turn down this opportunity for what might never happen between us.”
Jag heard the truth in her words. He hated the truth at that moment. He almost hated Jaina for being right – but she was. He couldn’t imagine what to say to her.
A thought tickled at the back of Jaina’s mind as she took his hands in hers. Do you know what you’re doing, Solo? This might be the biggest decision you’ve ever made.
“Do we have just a little time?” She released his hands to slide her own around his waist. Her eyes locked on his as she stretched her body against him. Jag made no move.
Jaina traced the muscles in his back with her fingertips. She reached up to nuzzle her face against his neck. As she began to kiss the warm skin of his jaw, he swept his arms around her and, bending to capture her lips with his, kissed her passionately. He allowed her to guide them toward her bed, where they surrendered to each other completely.
Jaina silently invited all of him to blend with all of her, until they were as close to being one in the Force as possible.
In these tender moments, each of them formed the same private thought.
This is goodbye.
************
Chapter 1 is ready to go - let's see if anyone is interested! Here's a teaser:
A look of terrible pain crossed Han’s face. “We’ve all been through a lot, taken a lot of hits. Somehow we kept on going. Not this time. Not me. I can’t take this.”
“We raised our kids right. Jacen turned out right. Anakin was doing great until the Vong took him. I thought we had a daughter but it turns out she was just a phony and a cheat. As of today - we’ve got one kid, Leia. That’s all. We lost one to the war and Jacen’s still here. We don’t have a daughter.” His thumb flew in Jaina’s direction. “I don’t know who this girl is.”
A few quick boot strides later, he was gone.
***
***
EDITS: Ongoing title changes.
SPECIAL EDIT: Era changed to AU with the publication of TJK.
-----signature-----
"I don't want to live in a world where I have to eat sugar-free sugar cookies."
Ikkaku, Hosaka, Kawabata
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Jedi-Jade
Registered:
Nov '99
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 1:43pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Great start! I can't wait to see where you take this!
-----signature-----
Nov. 19th
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KnightedRogue
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 1:57pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Oh, my. Now what would Jaina do to make Han that mad?  Lovely intro - I don't do J/J fics, but I'm very interested to see where you take this!
Wonderful work!
*KR*
-----signature-----
School ... work ... three dance teams ...
The insanity's just a by-product.
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oldjedinurse
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 2:13pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Jedi-Jade:
Great start! I can't wait to see where you take this!
Thanks a lot! I have a plan...
KnightedRogue:
Now what would Jaina do to make Han that mad?
What indeed? It may not be a total surprise, but its a twist...
I don't do J/J fics, but...
This isn't ONLY a J/J fic, so hopefully there'll be enough other characters and action to keep you interested!
Thanks so much for reading - especially since you're not a J/J'er - and for the encouragement!
oldj
-----signature-----
"I don't want to live in a world where I have to eat sugar-free sugar cookies."
Ikkaku, Hosaka, Kawabata
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DarthIshtar
Title: Former CR
Star Wars Trivia Hostess
Registered:
Mar '01
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 3:37pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Wow, dang, I want that next post. You've got a really strong talent for writing emotions in clear-cut ways.
-----signature-----
"You are some self-important encyclopedia with too much time on his hands. I will see to it personally that you are used for spare parts every time my speeder needs an overhaul. You and that overpriced forklift out there." ~Dr. Bel Maden
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lurker2209
Registered:
Jan '05
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 3:46pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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This is really amazing. I wonder what Jaina does that makes Han so mad, I can't see him getting really upset about Jag leaving, at least not at her. And he might be mad at her for sleeping with him, but would he disown her? I think you've got something really clever up your sleave and I can't wait to see what it is. If you are PM'ing people about updates to this, add me to the list.
~Lurker
-----signature-----
"When I face the desolate impossibility of writing five hundred pages
a sick sense of failure falls on me and I know I can never do it. This
happens every time. Then gradually I write one page and then another."
~ John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley
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ChissGoddess
Registered:
Jan '04
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 4:14pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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sa-weet. I totally love how you started this off...very moving. I'll definately be back to read the 1st chapter
-CG
-----signature-----
Wearer of the BYS Schoolgirl's Uniform and member of Blue Yoda's C.A.P.
"Sometimes things must be broken in order to be rebuilt."
--Jacen Solo
Does Jag wear Old Spice? ...hm...
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YodaKenobi
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 4:31pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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My, you've been busy today 
Nice view from here.
Pervert.
Jag nodded, then leaned over and kissed her lightly. “I’ll be back.”
You're supposed to put on sunglasses when you say something like that.
So Jag is off to the Unknown Regions to prepare for... something. Really liked the way you made him choose between duty and Jaina. Jaina convincing him to go is exactly what she would do, but I wonder if she wasn't half relieved about going to Csilla being out of her hands now, so her rejection didn't matter  Some good mush in there as well 
Good post 
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oldjedinurse
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 4:49pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Ishy:
Thanks so much! Chapter 1 will be up soon - promise.
Lurker2209:
Happy to see you have so many questions! I'll keep you posted, for sure.
ChissGoddess:
Thank you! This is going to be a bumpy ride...
YodaKenobi:
Who's a pervert??  
Nice analysis, by the way. And another big thanks!
oldj
-----signature-----
"I don't want to live in a world where I have to eat sugar-free sugar cookies."
Ikkaku, Hosaka, Kawabata
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zettazofia
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 4:54pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Ooh, great start.
I was very interested before the teaser, but that teaser makes it even more promising.
Can't wait to find out what's caused this.
-Zetta
-----signature-----
 ... J/J ... I love Aaron Allston!!!! Best Review Ever Received: "don\'t write any more. i beg. stick with reading." -Anon Great Jag centric fic: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2975461/1/Searching_For_A_Purpose
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GreatOne
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 4:57pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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I can't see Jaina doing ANYTHING that would get Han to disown her! After all, his life has been a bit on the shady side, especially before he met Leia.
Short of turning into a Dark Jedi, or totally selling them out to some enemy (which isn't Jag), I can't think of any reason at all! 
Even if she married Jag, or had his baby, I just can't see Han doing that. It must be something truly terrible.
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Gloria
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 5:25pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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! ! ! ! ! !
This is gonna be good, I can tell. *camps out*
-----signature-----
"And when the Chiss grew suspicious, they killed things."
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JAGSGURL15
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 6:15pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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OMG! this is gonna be so awesome! we all are like on the edge of our seats waiting for more like now!
Please PM all your Jaina/Jag stories to Jaina_Jag_Index in the following format (no mark-up codes please):
Title:
Link to story:
Link to your user profile:
Co-Authors: (If applicable) And their user profiles
Timeframe: (post NJO, post-Ruin, etc.)
Characters:
Genre: (romance, action, etc.)
Keywords:
Summary:
Notes: (WIP, Complete, Vignette, etc., Awards it's won)
Thanks JG15!
-----signature-----
Mush Queen of TKL's LOMIN ALE WRAITHS **Living In DE'NILE** i <3 JJ REDICK ~&NY YANKEES&~ (((**DUKE BLUE DEVILS**)))
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oldjedinurse
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 7:02pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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zetta:
Can't wait to find out what's caused this.
I won't make you wait too long!
And thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it so far.
GreatOne:
It must be something truly terrible.
Or a combination of somethings...glad you like!
Gloria:
My first camper! Hope its warm out ... here's a blanket! **hands reader big fuzzy blankie**
Thanks!
JG15:
..awesome..
I'll do my best! Thanks a lot!
J/J Index PM sent.
CHAPTER 1 will be up tomorrow!
oldj
-----signature-----
"I don't want to live in a world where I have to eat sugar-free sugar cookies."
Ikkaku, Hosaka, Kawabata
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JAGSGURL15
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 7:07pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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Gives me something more to look forward to tomorrow as us here in texas start our TAKS testing which is a really reallly hard test that we have to pass to advance, and i have it all week, science tomorrow then math reading and history!
-----signature-----
Mush Queen of TKL's LOMIN ALE WRAITHS **Living In DE'NILE** i <3 JJ REDICK ~&NY YANKEES&~ (((**DUKE BLUE DEVILS**)))
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JediTristan
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
4/17/05 7:25pm
Subject:
RE: THE BEST OF US - J/J, Han - post-NJO Drama: NEW **4/17**
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*huffs in*
I have a tent!
*drops onto ground in a flurry*
o NO!
What's gonna happen?!
I have a bad feeling about this....
Dude, the mush rocks. And the sadness...oh!
*sigh*
Wonderful.
-Tris
-----signature-----
The Empire, she is beautiful, no?
I wonder that Skywalkers always come back to despotism. It seems the only way for them to stay in control, to make sure the galaxy is run right.
Everything I tell you is a lie.
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