Every Sword Needs a Shield

Every Sword Needs a Shield

Every Sword Needs a Shield
Author: Flowerlady
Timeframe: LotF
Characters: Jag, Zekk, Jaina (from Jag's POV)
Warning: ***Sacrifice spoilers***
Genre: Drama, Vignette, AU
Disclaimer: Not mine… SW belongs to GL.
Summary: When Jag and Zekk begin to fear that Jaina is pushing everyone away like she had during the Yuuzhan Vong War, they come to an understanding.

~~ Every Sword Needs a Shield ~~

I watched her from my position near the non-Jedi and willed my strength to her. She stood with her family-her uncle, cousin and parents-who arrived not caring about the warrant for their arrest. The only one missing was Jacen. We all wondered where he was, but he was busy-maneuvering himself into a position of power within the GA .

I could tell that she was trying not to break; she was being strong for Ben and Master Skywalker. In all the years I knew the Jedi Grand Master, I never saw him look so haggard, even during the worst days of the Vong War.

I only half-heartedly listened to the eulogies being said for Mara Jade Skywalker. I felt somewhat guilty for my inattention, but I knew Master Skywalker wouldn't have wanted this kind of fuss to begin with, and I was all but a stranger to her.

My attention was fully on the beautiful woman standing with her arm around her younger but taller cousin. I felt someone staring at me and I glanced around to find Zekk watching me. As soon as my eyes met his he looked away; no doubt his mind was on the same thing mine was-Jaina's earlier revelation.

Zekk and I , arrived at Ossus for the funeral together and found Jaina. To my great displeasure, Zekk found her first and I was forced to tag behind. Jaina was surprised to see us together and being almost friendly toward each other outside of our relentless search for Alema Rar; we even arrived in the same shuttle. Despite our competition over Jaina, in the many months that we have been working together, he and I had formed some sort of-something . I wouldn't go so far as saying we were friends, but we weren't enemies either. I trusted Zekk and I know he trusted me as far as facing combat went. We were on the same side of the war this time and as such was a soldier's bond between us . I, however, didn't trust him one iota with Jaina, but then I knew he felt the same for me.

Well, I suppose after yesterday's discussion it didn't matter; Jaina wasn't interested in either one of us. That hurt more than I thought it ever would. When she and Zekk were first assigned to help with me I was livid. I hadn't a clue as to how I was going to stand working with them. I blamed Jaina for a lot of what happened to me and to my fa mil y. And I don't even want to get into my issues with her ex-Joiner boyfriend. My whole pursuit of Alema Rar was done in hopes of someday gaining favor again with the Chiss and to regain my fa mily's honor. However, as days turned into weeks and we began to find a rhythm, I noticed just how jealous Zekk was of me, which got me to wondering if Jaina still felt anything for me. I kept telling myself that I didn't care one way or another because we were through the moment she shot at me over Tenupe, despite what she had told me before she fired. But soon I did care and I wanted to spend more time with her. What started out as my pretending to nudge in on her and Zekk soon became me really wanting to push Zekk out of the picture. I did it once before, so I figured if Jaina really had any feelings for me, it wouldn't be too hard to do so again. Of course, unlike the last time, he was doing the same, and like two adolescent, hormone-happy schoolboys, we competed for her attention.

It all came to an end yesterday when she commed both of us asking us to meet her at her quarters. She sounded sad, broken; I wanted nothing more than to run to her, scoop her up into my arms, and take her pain away. However, when I got there at the appointed time, Zekk met me before her door.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as he rang her buzzer, precisely a second after I had.

I raised my brow and simply responded, "I could ask you the same thing. However, since we arrived at the same time, I have the feeling we are here for the same reason. Jaina called you as she did me."

Zekk snickered, "So, Fel, now you think you can infer like a Jedi?"

"No, I'm only looking at the facts and doing the math. Two plus two still equals four."

Just then Jaina's door slid open and I lost all the bitterness Zekk triggered. Her eyes were hollow, haunted. I remembered seeing that same look in those beautiful brandy eyes a long time before: back on Hapes after her brother Anakin was killed in that crazy mission and she thought Jacen was too. I immediately stepped in and, despite the awkwardness of it, wrapped my arms around her in a tight embrace. I felt her relax against me somewhat and I relished the feel of her leaning into me. However, within a minute she was composed and pulled away and out of my arms. I reluctantly let her go, suddenly wishing I never would have to.