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Topic:
The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): COMPLETE
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obsessedwithSW
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
1/5/07 5:48pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
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I am realitvely new to the beyond and have read at the most 10 post saga books so needless to say I am overwhelmed and probably outclassed  with the history and detail this story. However it will be a exciting puzzle to put together. Your writng and detail is top notch. Would you please put me on our pm list?
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Yes Darth Maul -bring sexy back! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW8kOYvwVng Avid SiriWaner ! Stories in Bio
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jedi_princess18
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
1/6/07 4:06pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
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 Great beginning. You've got me hooked. Might I be included on your PM list?
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Would it help if I got out and pushed?
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Darth_Lex
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 5:23am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
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obsessesdwithSW: I am overwhelmed and probably outclassed with the history and detail this story. However it will be a exciting puzzle to put together.
The detail is fun, because I’m putting together a set of behind the scenes vignettes that show what I think is the “real” explanation for what we’ve seen in canon from the Fels, the Chiss, and the Empire of the Hand. Ultimately, though, what I’m really exploring is the characterizations – how did a couple of old Imps train a young man to lead an Empire without him realizing that’s what they had planned for him all along? 
jedi_princess18: Great beginning. You've got me hooked.
Thanks! Hooked is good. 
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I don’t have a PM-updates list. I do put up a new post on this story each Tuesday, though, so I hope you’ll continue to check back each week for the next chapter. 
Posting momentarily… 
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The Good News (LOTF: Invincible missing scenes) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28505708/p1 "Jag's cool. It's not arrogant if you can back it up." - Troy Denning "Just remember who you are." - Jag to Jaina
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Darth_Lex
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 5:25am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
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CHAPTER TWO
28 ABY, two days after the Battle of Ylesia
Galactic Alliance heavy cruiser Starsider, in transit
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep. Pause. Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep.
“Urmph,” Jag said, lifting his head off the pillow.
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep.
From within his embrace Jaina’s hand snaked out, and her palm began to pat blindly all over the nightstand. Reluctantly he released his arm from around her waist, and took gentle hold of her wrist. “It’s mine,” he whispered. “I’ll be right back.”
Carefully he extricated himself from around her. She groaned wordlessly and rolled over, but didn’t seem to wake any further. He tugged the sheet over her bare back and tucked it around her shoulders. Then he turned, peering into the darkness.
Beepbeepbeepbeepbeep.
“Enough already,” he hissed. Still not quite awake, it took him a moment to remember where he’d left his comlink. Then he spotted its flashing blue light on her small desk across the room. A few quick strides brought him there, and he snatched it up.
The message on the small display screen was a single word. Door.
“Would it kill them to say please?”
Jag retrieved his neatly folded pants from the chair and pulled them on. He didn’t bother with a shirt or boots, or even buckling his belt, before treading slowly to the door. It slid open with a quiet whoosh. Fortunately the corridor illumination was dimmed, so the light assaulting his eyes wasn’t overwhelming.
Waiting in the hallway was a lithe blonde woman about a head shorter than Jag. She saluted crisply. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important, sir.”
He shrugged. “Sleep is overrated.”
She raised an eyebrow, and it took him a second to realize she was inspecting a round, deep purple bruise just below his collarbone. She held up her hand, offering a datacard held out between two extended fingers. “Urgent. From your father.”
Jag blinked. Her gesture signaled it was a message not from the CEDF, but the Empire of the Hand. “How did you get –” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
The blonde winked, and turned to go. “Sleep well, Colonel.”
He stepped back into Jaina’s room and shut the door. A quick glance to the bunk showed she hadn’t moved. He waited a long moment, and still she didn’t stir. Satisfied, he walked to the chair and sat down. The datacard clicked into the slot on his comlink. What scrolled onto the screen wasn’t a message, though. It was communications and encryption codes.
Not official codes, either, Chiss or Imperial. Personal codes.
For a brief moment his heart stopped. Had something happened? Was someone hurt? Or worse? Suddenly Jag was completely wide awake.
He connected his comlink to the Starsider’s outbound transmission array, then entered the codes. The wait wasn’t really all that long, but it seemed interminable – especially with his heart pounding frantically. Finally he heard the welcome pwop of static as the feed opened.
“Jagged?” It was his father’s voice. He sounded well. Calm.
“Yes, Father,” he said, keeping his voice quiet.
Soontir was perceptive as always. His reply was equally hushed. “We must speak discretely.”
Appraising the small room, Jag found a manageable solution. In three long strides he entered the refresher and shut the door behind him. “Go ahead.”
“That was rather swift.”
“Jaina’s asleep. I’m hiding in the ‘fresher.”
“All right. Just try to avoid making use of the facilities until we’re through.”
“Yes, sir.” Jag’s heart was still racing. “What’s happened?”
“I am speaking to you from my new office on Csilla. The office of the Assistant Syndic of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force, to be precise.”
“That is…” Jag had to swallow hard to find his voice. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“That is good news. Great news.” Now he was more than just awake. He was sharp. Focused. “At last the Nine Families have seen reality.”
“About that. The Ascendancy is now governed by four families.”
“Oh,” Jag said. “Oh.”
“You received my report about the enemy’s Girbis Sector offensive?”
“Yes.”
“Suffice it to say, the defense did not go well for the CEDF. They suffered heavy losses of personnel and materiel.” Soontir paused, and in his mind’s eye Jag could envision his father’s mischievous grin. “Only the intervention of our Phalanx turned the tide.”
Jag grinned too. “You saved the Ascendancy.”
“They would never admit that in so many words, but yes. Afterward the Council of Families met in emergency session. Nuruodo obtained seven votes in favor of a proposal to petition the Phalanx to assume immediate command authority over the CEDF.”
“Which you agreed to accept on what condition?” He had no doubt there was a condition. Or several.
“That the Ascendancy join the Empire of the Hand.”
That wasn’t the one he’d been expecting. Jag didn’t have any idea what to say.
“We have been waiting for the opportune moment to reveal ourselves to the Chiss,” Soontir said. “This was it.”
“I don’t doubt your judgment, Father,” Jag said. “And I’ve known this was coming for some time. Still, the reality is… difficult to comprehend. Especially from afar.”
“I understand.”
“So the Council of Families agreed?”
“Four were strongly in favor. Three were… reluctant to commit to a permanent allegiance.”
Seven again. Jag didn’t have to ask about the other two. “And you convinced them?”
“We offered them the opportunity to avoid any unpleasantness by retreating to the Redoubt for the remainder of the war. They took it.”
“Do they actually think,” Jag said, “that they’ll just be able to show up when the war is over and return to the Council?”
“I’m not responsible for what they think,” Soontir replied, that sneaky tone back in his voice.
“True.” Jag stopped, suddenly aware he had been pacing back and forth in the tiny space of the refresher. “Is there anything you need from me?”
“No. Matters are well in hand here. Continuing your mission successfully is the most valuable contribution you can make to our cause.”
“Then that is what I will do.”
“Thank you, son.”
Jag was still going to worry, though. He knew how nasty – if not fatal – Chiss politics could be. His father might say everything was under control, but Jag knew the situation would be dangerously volatile for quite some time. “How is Mother? Is she with you?”
“Not yet. Today is only my –” he paused momentarily “– fourth here on Csilla. I need to finish some further preparations before she and your sister join me. They are both well, and safe. Although they do worry for you, with all the danger you’re in.”
“No more than if I were there with you.”
Soontir chuckled. “Try telling your mother that.”
“Give them my love.”
“I will.”
“Thank you, Father,” Jag said, hoping his voice on the feed sounded as sincere as he felt. “Thank you for informing me – and trusting me.”
“You’re welcome, Jagged,” his father replied. Neither of them needed to say more. “Be safe.”
“You too.”
“Fel out,” his father said from habit, and the feed clicked off.
Jag took a slow, deep breath. There was too much to think about, and now wasn’t the time. A few more hours of sleep would do the trick, hopefully. He opened the ‘fresher door and stepped out into the dark room. He set his comlink on the desk and left his pants neatly folded on the chair right where he had found them, then paced over to the bunk. Jaina hadn’t moved a bit.
“Hey,” she said, her voice soft and sleepy, as he sat beside her.
“Sorry,” he said quietly.
“Were you talking on the comlink in the ‘fresher?”
“I didn’t want to wake you.” That was some of the truth, at least.
She rolled over, her big brown eyes heavy with slumber as she looked up at him. He reached down and caressed a thick lock of hair out of her face. She smiled. “Who was it?”
“My father.”
Her head lifted off the pillow. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine,” he assured her, leaning down and slipping between the sheets.
Without prompting she nestled her face into his shoulder and snuggled the rest of herself against him. “Still, it must have been important for him to call in the middle of the night.”
Jag chuckled, and wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t think he has any idea what time it is here, Jay.”
“Oh,” she said, “right.”
“Go back to sleep.”
She lifted her chin and gazed into his eyes. “You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
He wanted to, all right. Oh, how he wanted to. Not that he didn’t trust her, but… He couldn’t. It was too soon still, too intense and too fast. He just couldn’t. Not yet. And no doubt she sensed the conflict within him.
“Yes,” he said. “It’s fine.”
She furrowed her brow adorably. “You’re not a very good liar, Jag.”
He bent his neck to kiss her forehead. “I’ll tell you later. Okay?”
She stretched up and kissed him on the lips. “Promise?”
“Promise.” He kissed her back.
Their lips lingered, pressing together tenderly. He brushed his hands along her back, and she pulled herself even closer against him. Their tongues met gently, tranquilly. Her eyes were closed as she kissed him, and she looked nothing less than serene. There was no urgency in her kiss this time, no scorching passion to forget the lasting knotted anxiety of combat, no desperate desire to erase the fear and fury of war. In this moment, she was at peace – and in Jag’s estimation she had never been more beautiful.
She opened her eyes and broke their kiss. “I don’t think,” Jaina whispered, “I want to go back to sleep just yet.”
“Hmm,” he said, caressing his fingertips languidly down her back until she whimpered. “And what do you have in mind instead?”
“Shut up,” she growled, and kissed him.
********
Chapter Three (32 ABY) next week…
-----signature-----
The Good News (LOTF: Invincible missing scenes) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28505708/p1 "Jag's cool. It's not arrogant if you can back it up." - Troy Denning "Just remember who you are." - Jag to Jaina
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TahiriSoloFan
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 8:37am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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Am I first? 
That was interesting! Nice explaination on the change in the number of Ruling families. Soontir was at his best sneaky and strategic self. I loved Jag and Jaina's comfortable closeness...and it's always good to get a little sweetness. And Soontir wasn't the least surprised that Jaina would be sleeping there.  Jag must tell his dad everything... or else Tir is very perceptive.
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Auntie & the Chickens ~ currently on location in Egypt, Da'Nile!  What's your favorite RotS scene? Member of TKL's Wraiths! AKA ~Auntie ~ Chicken Wrangler Extraordinaire~  Josh 1:9
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Flowerlady
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 9:25am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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I loved Soontir's sneakiness... and your explanation how the Empire of the Hand was asorbed into the Chiss Ascendancy....
Oh and the J/Jness was sweet...
Wonderfully written and I can't wait for more. 
FL 
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I used to dream of Kyp or Jag, now it's Edward Cullen...I blame Cyn and Saber..  Master to DanaeMariSkywalker, JediMasterArmada and PHGS_Weyr
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Lyne
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 10:47am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
- Date Edited:
1/9/07 10:49am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Lyne
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She raised an eyebrow, and it took him a second to realize she was inspecting a round, deep purple bruise just below his collarbone.
At first, I thought it was a hickey. 
Beautiful scene between Jaina and Jag.
I feel bad for both of them that he's holding secrets from her. Can't wait to see her reaction when she finds out later.
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oldjedinurse
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 10:54am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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Soontir is a sly one. You surprised me, too, with his response to "Jaina's asleep." He knew she'd be there, or ignored it. I can't decide which... 
Be that as it may, your Ascendancy story is great--although I get the feeling there's a lot more there than Soontir was telling.
As for J/J, wonderfully tender moments. 
Your writing is so real, I feel lost in the story as I read your words.
Excellent update!
oldj
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"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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RedGold
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
1/9/07 11:36am
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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This is pretty cool... i love fics that make sense out of the muck that is the profics... and it has Jag... so there you go... 
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Legend... Recluse... Forgotten... Will one day return... http://www.starwarsfanfic.com
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Darth_Lex
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
1/11/07 12:34pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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Time for replies!
Auntie: Am I first?
Well done!
Nice explaination on the change in the number of Ruling families. Soontir was at his best sneaky and strategic self.
Those scenes in Refugee are short, but I think they’re very telling of Soontir’s character. All the way back to his TIE and Rogue days he’s not been afraid to make enemies to do what he thinks is right, and it’s no different even as Assistant Syndic. You don’t want to get in his way… 
Jag must tell his dad everything... or else Tir is very perceptive.
Well, I do think Jag would have told his father about Jaina fairly early on, especially when she was the reason he was making, shall we say, creative interpretations of his orders. Plus, given the sacrifices Soontir made for love, Jag would know his father wouldn’t immediately rush to criticize him for his choices.
Flowerlady: I loved Soontir's sneakiness... and your explanation how the Empire of the Hand was absorbed into the Chiss Ascendancy....
Prior to Dark Nest, I always thought the hints were pretty clear that there was some kind of regime change, if not outright coup, among the Chiss between Dark Journey and Refugee. In DJ, the Household Phalanx is still a renegade institution; by Refugee they’re running the CEDF. That strikes me as Chiss political machinations. Besides, Formbi’s explanation in TJK is just a little too convenient in context, IMO – and it doesn’t add up timewise. At the time of DJ, just after SBS, Raynar had only just arrived in Killik space; the Chiss regime change occurs a year and a half later at most. Yet it then takes another six and a half years for the Killiks to become a grave enough threat that war is imminent? That just doesn’t add up.
Lyne: At first, I thought it was a hickey.
What makes you think it wasn’t? 
Can't wait to see her reaction when she finds out later.
Depends on when she finds out…
OJN: You surprised me, too, with his response to "Jaina's asleep." He knew she'd be there, or ignored it. I can't decide which...
Soontir was a soldier for decades. He knows what happens in wartime.  In my mind Jag’s actually correct – Soontir has no idea what time it is on the Starsider. Jag does know that Soontir will be surprised that he was able to get some privacy so quickly, though, and the easiest explanation is usually just the truth. It’s a lot easier to keep a sleeping person from overhearing you than people who are awake. 
your Ascendancy story is great--although I get the feeling there's a lot more there than Soontir was telling.
Of course.  For Jag, for now, though, it’s like sausage – best not to see how it’s made.
RedGold: i love fics that make sense out of the muck that is the profics...
Yeah, that was one of my main motivations for writing this. Since the NJO and DN I’ve had some ideas floating around for a while now about what the “real” backstory to the Chiss/Empire of the Hand/Remnant relationship might be, but it’s been LOTF and the Legacy comics that really inspired me to pull it all together.
and it has Jag... so there you go...
There is that.
Thanks for the great replies, everyone! See you on Tuesday for the next chapter.
-----signature-----
The Good News (LOTF: Invincible missing scenes) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28505708/p1 "Jag's cool. It's not arrogant if you can back it up." - Troy Denning "Just remember who you are." - Jag to Jaina
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Chimpo_the_Sith
Title: FanForce CR
FF Poland
Registered:
Mar '03
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Date Posted:
1/11/07 1:49pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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I'm still not sure if Jaina and Jag were that close during that time but I'm not complaining
And Soontir knows about Jaina Interesting...
BTW that chick that gave Jag the message is lucky to be alive, especially with Jaina being near
Great job once again
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"I actually like Jaina/Jag best. Because they're such an imperfect fit, unstoppable force vs. unmoveable object, they challenge each other more and make one another cooler." Aaron Allston
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Solo_and_Fel
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
1/11/07 7:08pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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I'm thinking about printing this one out and taping it to the end of my copy of Ylesia.
I'm sort of liking the thought of Jag knowing so much we didn't know he knew during the NJO.
He bent his neck to kiss her forehead. “I’ll tell you later. Okay?
Like twenty years later...
In this moment, she was at peace – and in Jag’s estimation she had never been more beautiful.
I think she's definitely had many of her most peaceful moments with him.
I really liked both the interactions between Jag & Soontir and Jag & Jaina in this post. Sweet. It was such a natural and realistic-seeming story. I'm so glad you're writing this. Can't wait to see what happens next.
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"Hurling black lightning is one thing, but quoting Kyp Durron puts me lower than I ever expected to get." To Suffer & Be Strong: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28435487&brd=10477 Check profile for more fics.
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Darth_Lex
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
1/14/07 1:07pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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Chimpo: I'm still not sure if Jaina and Jag were that close during that time but I'm not complaining
Well, it depends on how much you read into the innuendo in Ylesia. But I don’t think they stopped with footrubs…
BTW that chick that gave Jag the message is lucky to be alive, especially with Jaina being near
You know it!
Solo_and_Fel: I'm thinking about printing this one out and taping it to the end of my copy of Ylesia.
Thanks! There were some great J/J moments in that one.
I'm sort of liking the thought of Jag knowing so much we didn't know he knew during the NJO.
It’s certainly possible Soontir kept him in the dark on a lot of what was happening back in the Unknown Regions… But I think this way is much more interesting.
Like twenty years later...
Technically it was true.
Thank again, everyone, for the replies! New post on Tuesday.
-----signature-----
The Good News (LOTF: Invincible missing scenes) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28505708/p1 "Jag's cool. It's not arrogant if you can back it up." - Troy Denning "Just remember who you are." - Jag to Jaina
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TKeira_Lea
Registered:
Oct '02
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 1:14pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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From within his embrace Jaina’s hand snaked out, and her palm began to pat blindly all over the nightstand. Reluctantly he released his arm from around her waist, and took gentle hold of her wrist. “It’s mine,” he whispered. “I’ll be right back.”
Damn pesky beeping. I hate when a good snuggly sleep gets interrupted.
“Would it kill them to say please?”
Where the :giggle: emoticon when you need it?
He shrugged. “Sleep is overrated.”
Not in my book 
For a brief moment his heart stopped. Had something happened? Was someone hurt? Or worse? Suddenly Jag was completely wide awake.
I think we all know that feeling all too well. Great job of getting us to feel or really remember that.
“Jaina’s asleep. I’m hiding in the ‘fresher.”
So dad knows?
“All right. Just try to avoid making use of the facilities until we’re through.”
Jag grinned too. “You saved the Ascendancy.”
Well played. I just love how you've worked all the canon into this eventuality. The Hand didn't attack the Ascendency; they just events unfold and took advantage. How very Thrawn like...
He wanted to, all right. Oh, how he wanted to. Not that he didn’t trust her, but… He couldn’t. It was too soon still, too intense and too fast. He just couldn’t. Not yet. And no doubt she sensed the conflict within him.
All relationships go through this phase. It makes Jaina and Jag more real. Me likes.
She opened her eyes and broke their kiss. “I don’t think,” Jaina whispered, “I want to go back to sleep just yet.”
“Hmm,” he said, caressing his fingertips languidly down her back until she whimpered. “And what do you have in mind instead?”
“Shut up,” she growled, and kissed him.
Do we get this part too?
Great post as always. I look forward to tomorrow.
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Chimpo_the_Sith
Title: FanForce CR
FF Poland
Registered:
Mar '03
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 2:21pm
Subject:
RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post Jan 9th!!
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TKeira_Lea posted:
Do we get this part too?
I second that
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"I actually like Jaina/Jag best. Because they're such an imperfect fit, unstoppable force vs. unmoveable object, they challenge each other more and make one another cooler." Aaron Allston
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