Author: Jaid Ziaen
Rating: G
Summary: Several years after the war with the Yuuzhan Vong, Jaina asks Zekk a very important question. Will the brandy-eyed Jedi and the Darkest Knight have a happily ever after?
Disclaimer: The song is "What Might've Been" by Lone Star; Jaina, Zekk,
and Jagged are George Lucas's, Marayne and the plot
are mine. I'm not making any money off of this. *sigh*
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I Lied
Sure I think about you now and then.
But it's been a long, long time.
Zekk opened the door and froze. Jaina stood there, arms wrapped around herself looking incredibly lost.
Jaina…
He'd almost forgotten her.
Almost.
I've got a good life now, and I've moved on.
So when you cross my mind
"Hey Zekk." Jaina said in a strained voice, "How've you been?"
"Great." He gave the traditional answer. I've missed you. He thought sadly.
"Did you miss me?" Jaina asked softly.
"No." He lied.
I try not to think about what might have been.
'Cause that was then and we have taken different roads.
We can't go back again.
Zekk's heart pounded. Jaina… his heart cried, Why did you have to come back? I was getting over you!!
There's no use giving in.
And there's no way to know
What might have been
Her face fell. "I've missed you," her voice was so quiet he nearly missed it.
A knife twisted in his heart.
This was killing him.
We could sit and talk about this all night long
And wonder why we didn't last.
Jaina lifted her eyes pleadingly. "May I… May I come in?"
"No." Zekk steeled his heart. "I'm sorry. But I think that, that would be a mistake."
I would end up kissing you, he finished silently. And that would be the mistake.
Yes, they might be the best days we will ever know.
But we'll have to leave them in the past.
So try not to think what might have been.
"Zekk I need to talk to you," Jaina burst out. "We used to be able to talk…" her voice dwindled off.
"Used to Jaina. Not anymore."
'Cause that was then and we have taken different roads.
We can't go back again.
There's no use in giving in.
And there's no way to know
What might have been.
Jaina flinched, her eyes holding the pain of rejection.
Zekk opened his mouth to tell her the truth. To tell her he'd missed her. That he needed her. To tell her he loved her.
A face flashed in front of his eyes. Pale gold hair… clear moss green eyes… his responsibility.
He held his tongue.
That same old look in your eyes, it's a beautiful night.
I'm so tempted to stay.
Tears filled her eyes. Their brandy depths held him captivated. She closed her eyes and two diamond tears slid down her cheeks.
So like Marayne…. Marayne… The child he'd rescued. The one everyone had said couldn't be saved. Everyone but him. He had saved her four years before. She was his.
Marayne called him daddy.
She needed him.
Jaina had proved time and time again that she didn't.
But too much time has gone by. we should just say good-bye.
And turn and walk away.
"Jaina..." he swallowed the lump in his throat and tried again, "Jaina, you should go."
"Why?" her voice was hollow.
"Jagged loves you." Zekk hated himself.
"I know. I don't deserve him." Her voice sounded dead. And it scared the hell out of Zekk. "Do you love me?"
"Jaina…" he attempted to explain. "Jaina there's just so much that's changed. So much you don't know."
And try not to think about what might have been.
'Cause that was then and we have taken different roads.
"We've taken different roads. You chose. I chose. Those roads can't intersect." He pleaded with her to understand. "Jaina, I-"
The words froze. He couldn't do it. He couldn't turn her away. He had to tell her the truth.
"Daddy?" a soft voice came from behind him. His heart melted. Jaina's head jerked back, a horrified look on her face.
We can't go back again.
There's no use in giving in.
"It's no use…" Jaina whispered; shock obvious in every nuance of her speech.
"Daddy?" quizzical, sweet green eyes looked into Jaina's face, then up at Zekk. "Daddy is'at mommy? Did she come fow me? Is she gonna take me home?"
Zekk's heart broke. She thought Jaina was her mother. Oh Force.
"No," he struggled with his tears, "your mommy is dead. So is your daddy."
"I'no." she said quietly, slipping her thumb into her mouth. "Y'ur my daddy now."
And there's no way to know
What might have been.
Jaina lifted her head proudly. She would not let Zekk see the tears. "This would be it then."
Zekk's green eyes cried out to her, tugged at her heart. She held firm. "Good bye Zekk. I'm sorry you don't love me. Don't say anything. I know you don't love me. You said so."
Jaina turned and walked away.
No, we'll never know…….. what might have been.
Zekk watched as the petite brunette walked away, tearing the heart from his chest.
"Jaina…" he whispered, "I lied."