This story picks up shortly after the events in Destiny's Way, then jumps forward a few years. I want to state very clearly at the beginning that I do not ship Jaina/Kyp. I do not own Star Wars; I'm just playing in the galaxy.
CHAPTER ONE
Dear Jaina,
The Sword of the Jedi? Wow, that's quite an honor. I would hope that by now you realize my intent towards you was honorable as well. However, our lifestyles are utterly incompatible. Though your piloting skills are unquestionable, you are truly a Rogue at heart, wild and free. I was molded by the Chiss phalanxes, trained to follow the orders of my superiors. Furthermore, you were born to be a Jedi, and a powerful Jedi at that. I was raised to hate the Jedi. Though my feelings for you have made me question my upbringing, I have ultimately decided that it is in my best interest to return to Chiss space. I will continue to aid the war effort, but from my homeworld, not the Known Regions. Though I do not expect you to take me up on this offer, I invite you to join me. I think you would find that the Chiss really are a wonderful people. Jaina, you mean more to me than any single individual ever has before. I don't want to lose the bond we've formed, but I cannot allow myself to stay here.
-Jagged-
Jaina held the small piece of flimsiplast delicately, running her fingers over it. Tears blurred her vision, threatened to spill over onto her cheeks. A choked sob erupted from the depths of her soul. Crumpling the flimsiplast sheet angrily, Jaina swiped at her eyes, wiping away the irritating moisture. She should've known. She had known. It was only a matter of time before one or the other of them brought their fledgling relationship to an abrupt halt. It had been fun, though, and she'd been willing to overlook the differences in their respective upbringings.
As Jaina lay back on her stiff bunk, she felt a wave of unidentifiable emotions pass through her. The few that lingered, however, she had no trouble identifying: anger, guilt, remorse, frustration, longing, and sorrow were but a handful. Closing her eyes, Jaina succumbed to the numbness of shock that soon followed. She couldn't feel anything anymore, didn't want to feel anything. Mindful of her Force relationship to others in the vicinity, Jaina gradually eased up her barriers and dampened her emotions. She wasn't ready for the others to know what had happened. Jaina rolled onto her side to face the wall, hoping that sleep would find her that night.
Sleep did not come. The following morning, Jaina stood in front of the mirror in her refresher, wondering if the person staring back could really be her own reflection. Deciding it was wasted effort, Jaina instead picked up her datapad. It contained information about the recent battle against the Yuuzhan Vong, and proved to be a worthwhile distraction. Jaina worked through the day -– carefully writing reviews of the battle, making notes for her squadron, and designing simulator battles for future use -– only stopping when a glance at her chronometer told her that any respectable being would be in bed. As Jaina slipped under the covers on her bunk, she realized that she'd been able to stave off the emotions threatening to overcome her. Night, however, would prove to be a different battle.
As she lay in bed, Jaina allowed her mind to wander back to happier times. She thought fondly of the first time she and Jag had ever kissed -– in the conference room after a battle. Memories of friendly banter on private comm channels, infinite teasing, and secret meetings flooded her consciousness. Tears sprang to Jaina's eyes, and for the second night in a row, she cried silently into her pillow. He said he wouldn't leave me. But that's exactly what he's doing, she thought bitterly. Jaina spent another sleepless night pondering Jag's true intentions.
The next morning, a knock sounded on Jaina's door. She was not expecting company, but Kyp's familiar presence gently brushed her mind. Hurriedly grabbing a clean jumpsuit, Jaina rushed into the refresher to change. When she came out, Kyp had entered her room and was sitting on the edge of her bunk.
"I didn't see you yesterday," Kyp began.
"No one did. I got some work done in here," she replied.
"Oh, I see. Are you all right? Your presence has been dampened since the evening before last," he asked, a concerned look upon his face.
"I just really needed to get it done."
"Well, if you're sure." Kyp's suspicion was evident, but he didn't press the matter. "I'm headed to the mess hall. Care to join me?"
"I suppose I should eat something. I don't think I ate yesterday. Too busy, I guess." Though Jaina tried to sound casually forgetful, it was clear from her puffy, red eyes and overall tired appearance that things weren't what they seemed.
Jaina spent the day in a whirlwind of activity. Simming with her squadron, making adjustments and repairs to her fighter, designing battle plans, attending meetings to discuss strategy, and preparing for an upcoming mission were just a few things Jaina did to distract herself from her very real problem. She didn't want to lose Jagged, and yet, it was like he was already gone. Though Jag didn't officially leave for Csilla until the following week, Jaina had not even crossed paths with him. The military information she received from Jag came via Tycho Celchu or Wedge Antilles. Jag had neglected to take up her squadron's offer of joint-simming. He'd even gone so far as to deliberately avoid being in the mess hall when he thought Jaina would be there. Jaina didn't want Jag to avoid her, but she honestly didn't know what she would say to him if their paths did cross.
Wearily, Jaina made her way back to her room. The day had been long indeed; that was the point. She wanted to sleep that night, but knew that sleep would not come. For the third night in a row, Jaina tossed and turned, her thoughts besieging her already-tormented soul. How dare he do this to me? Jaina wondered. How dare he make it so obvious that he wants to be with me, only to force me to choose? How dare he care for me? This must be my fault. I didn't try hard enough to make him stay. The sound of her own sobbing startled Jaina out of her thoughts. She hadn't realized that she'd started to cry. Why do they always hurt me? Why me? What do I do wrong?
And then, he was there. Though her face was to the wall, Jaina could feel the bunk shift under his weight as he sat down next to her. His familiar presence was at once soothing to her. With one hand, he drew the blankets up around her, the other softly stroking her hair. Slowly, her desperate, choking sobs quieted to muffled sniffles. Kyp spied a piece of crumpled flimsiplast lying on the floor near the bunk. Leaving one hand on Jaina's shoulder, he reached down to pick it up. Kyp unfolded the note and read it silently to himself. The anger that welled up inside of him was quickly squelched by his concern for Jaina.
"Oh, Jaina, I'm so sorry." His tender words were met with a fresh round of tears. "You don't deserve this kind of treatment. Not from him, not from anybody."
Jaina slowly sat up, turning to face him as she did so. Her troubled brown eyes met his compassionate green ones. "But I–"
"No. No, Jaina," Kyp said, cutting her off. Before he could formulate another thought, Kyp found Jaina in his arms, weeping steadily. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her closer to himself.
"I-I-I-" Jaina began before sobs wracked her body. Burying her face in Kyp's shirt, Jaina allowed her tears to flow completely. It wasn't long until they'd soaked through the soft material.
"Shhh, it's okay. You'll be all right." Kyp stroked her hair and gently rocked her, all the while murmuring soothing words. Through their Force bond, Kyp could feel Jaina's turbulent emotions. He sought out the most troubled areas, and sent feelings of comfort to her.
I warned her that this would happen. I knew that he would break her heart. They always do, Kyp thought. Holding the sobbing girl made Kyp realize how much their relationship had changed over the years. When he'd first met Jaina, she'd been a toddler no more than two standard years old; he was already halfway through his teenage years. During the years that followed, Kyp had been like an uncle to Jaina. Then, their relationship changed. It was true that Kyp had briefly pursued Jaina romantically, but nothing had ever come of it. She'd chosen Jag at that point in time. Kyp learned to live with it, and he allowed himself to develop other feelings for Jaina. They'd mutually defined it as a partnership of sorts, though neither of them really had a clear grasp as to what that meant.
From the shelter of Kyp's embrace, Jaina felt the last few days of sleepless activity catch up with her. Her tears slowed, then stopped altogether. Jaina didn't know when exactly Kyp had started to rock her, but the motion was soothing. Wave after wave of comfort washed over her, calming her devastated soul and lulling her body to sleep. As she slipped further into unconsciousness, Jaina felt as though the only other time she was as content was in the presence of her brother.
A brother! Kyp realized with a start. That's what I am to her, a brother! A slow smile spread across Kyp's face with that knowledge. Seeing that Jaina was finally asleep, Kyp carefully lowered her sleeping form to the bunk once more. He pulled the blankets up around her. I won't tell her "I told you so." But I will be here when she wakes up again.Kyp gently kissed her forehead, smoothing away a stray lock of her chestnut hair, before settling into the chair at the foot of the bunk.
There will be more to come, so stay tuned!