Kyp watched from the shadows, becoming one with the semi darkness surrounding the buildings. He sat crouched atop a ledge far above the walkway, just high enough to make out who entered and exited the medical complex. Within seconds he would be able to jump down and gracefully land on his feet without making a single sound.

No one noticed him – he made sure of it. Using the Force as a cloak to wrap around himself, if anyone looked up, all they'd see would be a blurry apparition of darkness; a display of elements, reflecting the sunlight in different hues of colors. Some would be able to feel a flicker of sorts but after a moment of admiring the lights, they'd move on and be none the wiser.

The Jedi Master watched in silence, wondering and worrying why Jaina had come to the medical complex. He'd been rather surprised to see Leia with her – had Jag known about these turn of events he would have told him. Kyp knew Jaina well enough to know that this was something big and important if she tried keeping it to herself. The two women had used precautions not to be followed. Normal beings would have been fooled but not Kyp.

So he hid himself from the Force and he waited.

He didn't know how much time had passed. Maybe minutes, maybe even a very long two hours but still the women didn't show. Slowly he probed the vicinity with the Force and he felt their presences right where they had been this whole time.

What was going on in there? His worry grew with every passing second, his agitation shooting to a high and he found himself suddenly yearning for a fight – just so he could pass the time and forget about the fact that Jaina was seeing a doctor. Maybe it was just a check-up? But then she wouldn't have called Leia.

He opened his connection to the Force just a fracture as he felt a sudden burst of joy emanating from the medical complex and the source was definitely Jaina. She was giddily happy about something and the feeling tingled through his body, washing his worry away.

He waited another few minutes, confusion at the sudden outburst of positive feelings etched onto his face. His body snapped to full attention as he saw Jaina and her mother exit the medical complex. Frowning at why they'd taken the main entrance, he watched them move into the crowd, milling about and heading to a wide and busy pedestrian zone.

It would get increasingly hard to follow them.

And just as he thought this, he saw a red headed guy heading Jaina's way, a holocam in his hand. Kyp knew without a doubt that the kid was a journalist. And he'd caught sight of Jaina Solo Fel with her mother and it would be one the greatest stories in the kid's career.

Kyp smiled.

Not if he had anything to say about it.

He dropped down from the ledge, his boots hitting the ground noiselessly. People around him looked stunned and shocked – trying to hide his presence while in rapid movement drained him too much – but held their peace as they caught sight of the silver cylinder dangling from his hip.



Kyp hurried through the bustle of people, shoving some aside to get to the journalist kid. He felt Leia and Jaina a long way ahead and was fairly certain he'd catch up with the two of them later. First he had to take care of the kid.

When the Jedi Master got near enough, he sent a tiny Force blast of energy into the holocam and was more than just satisfied as a small wad of smoke rose into the chilly air. The kid groaned and shook his head, digging through his pockets in his jacket and retrieving another holocam, albeit a very small one.

Kyp rolled his eyes and shoved his lean form further through the crowd towards the journalist kid. He didn't seem to be older than in his mid-twenties – the arrogant, conceited and loud-mouthed type Kyp assumed. He'd had his personal run-ins with the media before and most all of the "news" people were alike. Kriff the humane side of a story; the readers and the viewers were important, no matter if the story was a great big fat lie or not.

The red head was just about to run after Jaina and her mother – Kyp could see their dark heads bobbing up and down as they leisurely walked through the pedestrian zone, seemingly oblivious that they were being followed – when Kyp grabbed the kids shoulder and spun him around.

His gaze wandered back to the two women for a single second and he couldn't help but wonder why the hell they were out here amongst the people, both knowing full well how dangerous it could be. He made a mental note to have a long, nice talk with Jaina about it.

"Get off me!" The red head jumped back, straightening his jacket with a flick of his hand. Dark green eyes stared blasters at Kyp and the Jedi Master smiled.

"Leave." His voice was cold and very low.

"You can't tell me what to do. I have a job to finish. Get out of my way."

Kyp stepped closer while running his thumb along his chin, an almost imperceptible smile on his face, "You need to leave and find yourself another victim for the media." He touched the boys' mind with the Force, trying to plant the definite suggestion for him to leave.

But it seemed the kid was strong willed and instead of turning around to go, he stepped closer and shook his head, "Not a chance, pal. Do you see who that is?" He pointed down the walkway, where Jaina and Leia's short forms were slowly leaving his line of sight.

"If I get these holos, my boss'll kiss my ass for at least a month." The kid took a step back and shook his head, "So there's no way in hell I'm letting her get away." He inclined his head in the direction Jaina had gone, a bright smile on his face.

Kyp shook his head and heaved a sigh, "This isn't a debate. You will leave and you'll leave now."

"Whoa, man!" the kid lifted both his hands – one still holding the tiny holocam, Kyp noticed – and instead of taking another step back, the kid was stupid enough to come closer.

Kyp felt the sudden urge to laugh at the boy.

"Back off! I swear to the Gods I'll bitch slap you if you don't."



Now that was just too much. He couldn't help himself. The urge to burst out laughing seemed to overrule all his other senses and so he stood before the kid, shaking his head in utter amusement and laughed.

"I'm not joking. Back off."

It took a moment for Kyp to regain his composure and when he did, the fierceness within his dark eyes made the kid step back. Which was the one smart move on his part, Kyp thought.

"Don't kriff with me, you little prick." He used the Force to shove the kid just a little. He stumbled backward, frowning at the sudden unexpected and unwanted movement of his feet.

The sun suddenly reflected off Kyp's lightsaber and the kid swallowed visibly. Kyp felt a jolt of satisfaction, "Get the hell out of here."

Red-Head's already pale complexion seemed to whiten as he realized what he'd gotten himself into. He turned his head to look down the walkway – Jaina and Leia were nowhere in sight.

Kyp could sense the kid's anticipation through the Force and was certain he'd try to bolt down the walkway to catch up with his prey. The Jedi reached out and grabbed a handful of the kids' shirt, "Don't you dare even think it." He said, his voice a deadly whisper, "Now get the hell out of here. I won't repeat myself."

The kid scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Sure. And what're you gonna do about it? Beat me up and use your freaky mind tricks in front of all these people? Go ahead, oh-great-master! It'd give me one hell of a story to write."

Kyp could feel the kid's fear through the Force, a steady flicker of energy. "One last chance, kid. Leave."

Instead of doing the sensible thing, the red-head chuckled, "Or what? Your empty threats annoy me."

With a single thought Kyp had tossed the boy a few meters across the walkway. There were shocked gasps and stares but the Jedi Master couldn't have cared less. Jaina's safety was on the line and he'd do everything in his power to ensure it. That's what he had signed up for and that's what he intended to do – no matter the consequences.

Pedestrians moved out of his way as he took slow and measured steps towards the kid lying sprawled on his back. Kyp felt stares on his back, heard whispers but he didn't care.

Crouching down beside the kid, he sighed, "How about now? Ready to go?" He cocked his head to the side and raised his dark brows in question.

The kid jumped to his feet, his pale face a bright red as he noticed the stares the two of them were receiving.

There was yet another small flicker within the Force – Kyp was almost impressed by the will the kid possessed because the Jedi Master knew the kid would make a run for it.

Kyp reached out with his hand and shoved the kid back the way he'd come, "Move."



Red-head swallowed and it seemed he was slowly coming to his senses, "You know, we could work this out. I mean, I get the pictures in and I'll give you half of the profit. Sound good?"

"Move!" Kyp bellowed, startling the red-headed kid into a run. Kyp watched the child journalist round a corner, vanishing within the shadows.

This time he'd kept the media off Jaina's back. He reached out with the Force, feeling that she was alright and still very much the happy woman she was when she'd exited the medical complex.

Everything was fine. And Jaina would never know about those trying to follow her. It was his job to keep them away – and so far he'd been doing well.

He let out a breath and dragged a hand through his short, dark hair. He hadn't gotten a real, decent fight and he still felt agitated. With a little, evil smile he headed down the walkway Jaina and Leia had used previously. When the day was done, he'd head home first before reporting in to Jag.

And he wasn't feeling the least bit gentle.

Jaina returned from the short shopping trip a few hours later, surprised to find Jag lying on the sofa with his data pad on his chest. She watched him for a very long moment – his chest rose and fell with his breathing, his eyes moved back and forth beneath the lids and she wondered what it was he was dreaming.

She reached out and touched a strand of his hair, smiling as he sighed in his sleep.

Jaina and Leia had taken the time to come up with an idea as to how to break the joyous news to Jag. She still wasn't used to the fact that there was life growing within her and she didn't think she'd ever get used to it. She'd be a mother soon. Soon there would be a bundle of life needing her, wanting her, loving her unconditionally. She'd soon have a family of her own.

The thought brought a bright smile to her face and tears stung her eyes. After everything they'd been through, at that moment Jaina was sure she and Jag would have a wonderful life with one another.

Careful not to wake him, she turned around and retrieved a box from a paper bag standing near the sofa. The box was wrapped in dark red paper, a small decorative bow placed on top. She set the box on the table in front of the sofa and stretched her tired muscles.

She'd let Jag sleep – first she needed a long, hot shower.

He opened his eyes as he heard the distant rush of water. It took him a moment to realize he'd fallen asleep while going over various reports – his neck was stiff, and his arm had fallen asleep.

Groaning he sat up, massaging his neck with the hand that wasn't tingling. His thoughts drifted here and there as he squeezed his eyes shut, stifling a yawn. He stretched then, wanting to get to his feet when he caught sight of a wrapped package on the table in front of him.

Frowning at it, he picked it up and tugged at a note hefted beneath the bow. It had his name written on it in Jaina's elegant hand writing. He wondered what sort of gift she'd brought him this time? 

Depending on where she went, she would bring him all sorts of food and drinks and once she'd entered their bedroom in beautiful negligees – he smiled at the thought.

Slowly he unwrapped the package, carefully setting the dark red paper aside on the sofa. When he opened the box, he frowned.

Inside was another package, smaller and wrapped in dark blue paper, with prints of twinkling stars. And a very ugly heart-shaped bow pinned on the upper right side. His frown deepened as he threw the first package aside and unwrapped the second box.

There was the slightest smile on his face as he opened it and again found another colorful wrapped package within. This one was a hideous yellow – it almost hurt his eyes.

He went on and on and on until there was a small mound of wrapping paper piled on the sofa beside him.

Within his hand he now held a small white package, fitting in his palm perfectly. It was decorated with tiny white beads and pearls, a white ribbon laid over the top. It was a pretty little thing but still Jag frowned. This was something Jaina had never done before.

Slowly he undid the ribbon, letting it fall into his lap as he opened the lid of the small box. He supposed his surprise was written all over his face. There was a pair of tiny, white socks within the box – Jag raised his brows in confusion.

He heard the door to the fresher open and got to his feet, still holding the socks in his hand. Jaina stood in the doorway, a towel wrapped around her chest. "You're awake."

"What's this?"

Jaina laughed and he noticed her eyes twinkled. Her cheeks were flushed red from the hot shower, the bare skin a beautiful pink.

"What does it look like?" She smiled that beautiful smile that seemed to always be able to bring him to his knees.

And then it clicked.

Jaina was at a loss for words. The expression on Jag's face turned from complete confusion, to utter surprise, to worry and then to definite happiness. He walked around the sofa, still clutching the tiny socks in his hand, gathering Jaina up into his arms.

He kissed her deeply as he pulled her towards him, breaking off only to breathe, "And you're certain?" He asked in a low voice.

Jaina nodded, feeling another rush of happy tears sting her eyes, "I went to get checked out this morning."

Jaina hadn't seen many moments in which Jag was speechless but this was definitely one of them. His eyes darted from her to the tiny socks he was holding, to her abdomen where their child was growing.

Without another word he kissed her again, picking her up and carrying her into their private domain.