Strong Enough
Chapter 4
Kyp was restless. Jaina was avoiding him. Again. And it annoyed him to no end. He'd stuck to his room for the first little while, finding it rather unnecessary to look for trouble when trouble was sure to find him, but when the first couple of hours passed with no sign of Wedge, whom he was sure wanted a piece of him, or Jaina, he got restive. Sit-ups and push-ups just weren't cutting it and he rarely felt the need to hit something. But today was one of those days. Shrugging into his cloak, but not bothering to do it up, he left his room and started towards the public training room. They had a section of padded walls that were perfect for his moods like this. After all, he could only destroy so many helmets in a week before he used up his quota. He shook his head. That had been a dumb move on the flight deck earlier.
He entered the training room to find that only three other pilots, all longtime veterans who tended to avoid him, working at several of the machines. One was doing push-ups with a weight set on his shoulders, one was on a treadmill and the other was using the leg press. Kyp ignored them all, heading straight for the padded wall directly across from the door. There was a practice mat stretched out in front of it for those who knew hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately the only person on the ship who could, and would, spar with Kyp was avoiding him. Shrugging out of his cloak and tossing it to the side, the Jedi Master began a rigorous stretching routine pulling off his shirt and tossing it over with his cloak.
Kyp felt the eyes on him, but ignored them, continuing to stretch, closing his eyes. He stretched for several long minutes, taking the time to ensure he wouldn't injure himself. As angry and fed-up about the whole Jag issue as he was, getting himself injured wasn't going to help. Finally, he turned his back on the others in the gym-like area and headed for the wall.
A whistle of appreciation had him pausing. The younger of the three pilots was looking at him, his eyes wide. "Nice work Durron, she tear a strip off you or what?"
Kyp frowned. What was the younger man talking about? "I beg your pardon, Chitan?"
Chi shrugged. "Your back. I didn't figure the Goddess was one to use physical measures to punish."
Kyp blinked. His back? A flash of a memory ran through his head. Jaina, her back arching of his bed, her nails raking painfully down his bare back as he muffled her moans with his mouth. Oh boy. Did they look like slash marks? Probably. "Not normally no, but I figure she makes an exception for me. She didn't like being manhandled on the flight deck today."
Chi shook his head. "Better you than me, Durron." He said, turning away and going back to his work out.
Kyp turned, suddenly in desperate need of a good thrashing. How had he completely forgotten about the marks on his back? He knew the answer; because he'd healed the deepest, stinging ones immediately. The rest would heal, but they'd take time. He flinched. If Jaina found out about what he'd let the other pilots believe... he shook his head. It was better than having them know the truth, wasn't it? Not that anyone would ever believe him if he'd told them. He almost sneered. What did that say about his reputation? Bah, he didn't care. He punched the wall, feeling the padding give, and began systematically assaulting one of the outcroppings with a series of punches and kicks that always helped clear his mind. Only this time it wasn't helping.
Jaina. What was he going to do about her? And Han? He frowned, lashing out at the padding again and again. What was he going to tell Han? Jaina couldn't lie to her father, she knew that, but would she tell him the whole truth? Kyp sincerely hoped not; he liked his head where it was. He didn't really want one of the men he respected most on his case about his only daughter. He was absorbed in his work out, not even feeling the grudging respect coming from the other pilots in the room as he worked the wall over, never tiring, never slacking, his concentration seeming absolute. He didn't notice the growing crowd of pilots until he finally, after one long hour of almost non-stop punches and kicks he stopped. A murmur behind him had him turning, only to stop. He had an audience. He ran a hand through his hair, brushing the long bangs out of his eyes and then waved a hand towards his shirt. It rose and flew to his hand and he used it towel-like, wiping the sweat from his face chest before slinging it around his shoulders.
Nobody watching said anything as he collected his cape and slid it back around his shoulders before walking away from the training room. The door closed behind him and a satisfied smile crossed Kyp's face. He could -feel- the speculation behind him, the questions and amazement. That was not what people had expected when they'd walked into the training room. Satisfied, he headed back towards his room. If nothing else, he'd worked out a lot of frustration and tomorrow he'd be level headed to deal with Han. Level headed? He almost laughed. He was never level headed when it came to Han's daughter and with Jaina present it was going to be one hell of a reunion.
Jaina waited on the flight deck as the Millennium Falcon's landing struts touched the deck. Her father was here. Early. She smothered a yawn, trying not to think about the early hour. Yesterday had been draining, and she'd not even bothered to eat dinner before heading to bed, but 0400? Was her father insane? Wait, check that thought, this was Han Solo. Of course he was insane, if only a little; he'd had to be to have lived this long. She waited as the repulsors strained to level the awkward looking ship to the deck. She looked up as the sound of boot heels clicking on the deck caught her attention.
Kyp. Her breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of him. He looked rested, relaxed, and all too tempting at this hour of the morning. It wasn't fair. She had this sudden feeling of wanting to slam him into a bulkhead and either deck him or kiss him. Either would have worked at the moment; no one should be allowed to look at good at this hour! "Durron!" she snapped.
He stopped short of her and bowed mockingly. "Your greatness."
"Cute, cut it out. What are you doing here?"
"I thought it was obvious," Kyp told her grinning, "I've come to greet my old friend."
Jaina was about to tell him she didn't want him there when the repulsors died off and she turned. The sound of the Falcon's hatch opening, the two pressures beginning to equalize, had her looking towards the cockpit. Her father couldn't be seen but was that... No, it couldn't be! She stretched out with the Force, feeling her dad moving towards the landing ramp and in the cockpit, powering down the ship was her mother! Her mother? Oh no, could this get any worse? She wanted to scream. Kyp stepped next to her, affecting an easy, loose stance. "Relax," he told her softly, "things'll work out. You'll see."
She cast him a look that would have killed him if it could. "Easy for you to say," she muttered darkly.
Han Solo, his tread as even and sure as ever, his brown hair shot through with long lines of silver, stepped onto the ramp. Jaina grinned. Her father, except for his hair color, looked like the smuggler he'd been twenty years ago. She knew; she'd seen holos. She could feel Kyp's pleasure at seeing his old friend, but Jaina knew he'd wait for her lead. This was her family; she'd have to deal with them.
"Dad!" she strode forward to meet him and Han held out his arms, engulfing her in a huge hug.
"Jaina! Good to see you, princess."
She grinned, pulling back a little. "It's Goddess now, dad, I'm moving up in the ranks."
Han chuckled, "Well so it is. Should I be bowing?"
Jaina shook her head. "Nope, family's exempt."
Han winked at her before turning to her companion. "Kyp, kid, it's good to see you."
"Han." Kyp said warmly, clasping the hand the other man extended. "You're looking good, old man."
Han grinned, his grip as firm as ever, as he slapped Kyp on the shoulder. "You don't look too much worse for wear with Jaina around. You keeping her out of trouble?"
Jaina's eyes widened as she met Kyp's gaze. Trouble? She wanted to laugh. The only trouble she'd gotten into was with him around! "Uh, dad, there's something you'll want to hear from me before you hear it from General Antilles."
"This sounds serious. Why don't you two come on into the Falcon and we'll talk about it." Han's demeanor was easy going and Jaina relaxed somewhat. Her father could be a firecracker, but at least he seemed to take Kyp's presence there as normal. But she wasn't about to spit out her new relationship with him on the flight deck, especially with the trouble comment from her dad!
Kyp and Jaina followed Han into the Falcon, Jaina wondering idly why her mother was staying in the cockpit but thankful for not having to deal with her at the moment, as the three of them settled into the game room. Kyp and Jaina on either side of the dejarik table, Han in a chair over by some of the monitors. It was the most comfortable chair in the room and Jaina knew better than to comment about it.
Han Solo was getting old and he liked his comforts. Leaning back in his chair he looked at his daughter. "So what's this big thing I should hear from you instead of Wedge?"
"Kyp blew my Goddess cover yesterday."
Han raised an eyebrow. "How?"
Jaina flushed, "He... he was mad at me after the last engagement and when I refused to talk to him, he uh..."
"I took matters into my own hands," Kyp supplied. "I threw her over my shoulder and carried her off."
Han laughed. "Really?"
Kyp nodded, ignoring the kick Jaina applied to his shins. "Really."
"You actually picked her up while she was angry?"
"Yes sir."
Han stood, coming towards Kyp and slapping him on the shoulder. "You're crazy kid, not even I would do that when she was little." Han settled next to Jaina, leaning forward to look at them both. With Han on the circular seat, Jaina was trapped at the back, behind the table, between her father and Kyp. Kyp's thigh brushed against hers as he shifted and she fought to keep from jumping. Dammit, it wasn't supposed to happen like this!
"So tell me, what was this argument about?"
Kyp glanced at Jaina, arching an eyebrow as if to ask if she wanted to explain but she was too busy picking at the peeling paint on the game board. Obviously she'd decided to let him handle this. "Just standard pilot garbage. Who saved whom when they were supposed to be the one staying out of trouble."
"Jaina saved your life?"
"Well, if you want to interpret it that way..." Kyp told him grinning. "Ouch. Jay, stop it, I need those."
Jaina glared at him before turning to her dad.
Han was watching them both speculatively. "Did I miss something here? You two seem to be on edge and I have a hard time believing your conversation was only about Jaina saving your life, Kyp."
Jaina flushed. "Uh, dad, do you remember that transmission I sent you a few days ago?"
"Which one?" Han asked slyly, "You sent three."
"The uh... one about me and Jag."
Han looked pointedly at her hands. "I don't see a ring. I may be getting older, but I'm not blind."
Jaina folded her hands on the tabletop. "Well, I broke it off with Jag two days ago."
"Why?"
"He just wasn't what I needed." Kyp was mercifully silent, allowing her to explain. "I..." she paused. "Dad, I don't want you to take this wrong."
Han looked at Kyp. "Is this your fault?"
"Dad!" Jaina was aghast; what was Kyp going to say to that?
Han ignored her and Kyp met Han's gaze calmly. "Why is everything my fault?"
Han grinned. "Because you're supposed to be looking out for her. What'd you say to Jag to get him to let go?"
"He didn't say anything!" Jaina fairly screamed, "I told him it was over!"
Han looked back to her. "I find that a little hard to believe, princess. Your message was nothing short ecstatic, why would you break off an engagement you were thrilled to be in?"
"Because I'm not in love with Jag!" she snapped, "Why else?"
Han sat back, looking at her closely before getting to his feet. "I'll be right back. Neither of you go anywhere."
"But... dad..." Jaina watched him go, disappointed when he didn't answer her. She slumped back in the seat, her chin on her chest, and kicked the support to the table. "This is impossible. He'll never believe me now!"
Kyp hated seeing her so dejected, so confused. He reached out, shifting slightly so that he was closer to her, and slid his hands onto her shoulders, massaging gently. "Relax," he urged her, "it could have been worse. Han would have been outraged if he honestly thought you were making a mistake."
She lifted her head, allowing his hands to sooth the tension in her shoulders. "Do you really think so?"
He grinned, even though she couldn't see him. "I know so. You're so tense and your dad knows something is up, why don't you just tell him?"
"Me?" she turned to find him close, so close in fact that barely a hand width separated their faces and sucked in a sharp breath. Move! she commanded herself silently. But she couldn't. She was transfixed by his eyes, so deep they were almost green flames as he stared back. She licked her lips and his gaze dropped to her mouth. She inhaled sharply, "Kyp..."
His hand came up, of its own accord, and brushed her hair back over her ear, his fingers whisper soft over her cheek.
"We... we ca-"
He didn't listen, simply leaned forward and cut her off. Her lips moved under his, melting for a moment and kissing him back. Her hands grasped the front of his shirt, but couldn't seem to decide if she wanted to pull him closer or push him away.
"Jaina, I was talking... to..." Han's voice trailed off as he stepped back into the small room. His eyebrows hit his hairline as he leaned against the bulkhead, watching. "Ahem."
Jaina pulled away as if she'd been burned, heat scalding her cheeks as her horrified gaze went to her father. "Dad!"
Han nodded. "That's right, sweetheart, Dad."
She swallowed hard, recognizing that calm, low voice as Han at his deadliest. He was not impressed. "I... I can explain."
Kyp moved to get up but Han pinned him with a stare. "You're not getting out of this one, Durron. Stay put or Jedi or no Jedi, I'll take you out."
Kyp sat back down, leaning back as he affected a nonchalant pose. "It's not as bad as it looks, Han."
"I'll be the one to decide that. Start talking, Jaina, I'm waiting."
"Well, uh... It's a long story."
"This kiss or the way you ended up here?"
She flinched at the neutral tone in his voice. She wasn't sure if he was angry or thrilled, but he certainly seemed menacing. "Uh, how we got there. Kyp tried to push me away, I swear he did, but..."
"My daughter threw herself at the man who's constantly lied to her for the last five years?"
"Not constantly!" she shot back, not bothering to deny the first accusation. Why should she? It was true, after all. "He's been nothing but honest with me since he came back!"
"I find that hard to believe."
"Dad!" Jaina pushed herself to her feet. "I swear it's true. He's been here for me when nobody, not even Jag wanted to put up with me. He's not afraid to challenge me or make a scene. He's not scared to tarnish him image."
"Only because it's tarnished enough," Han commented dryly. "How long has this been going on?"
"A few days."
"Days?" Han's hand twitched, almost as if he wanted to reach for his blaster. "-Days-?! You broke your engagement with Jag for -him-?"
Kyp winced. Ouch, that accusatory tone was almost as bad as a lash.
"Yes." Jaina told her father stoically, feeling as if she was on trial. "I did."
"Why?"
Jaina looked down at Kyp. Why indeed? She was still having trouble with that one herself. She smiled slowly, the answer as plain as day. She would simply have to tell the truth; well part of it anyway. She winked at Kyp before turning back to her father. "Because something was missing with Jag," she said honestly. "I love Jag, dad, but I'm -in- love with Kyp. He brings a passion to my life that wasn't there before."
"It's about time you realized it."
"I know you don't... What?!" Jaina stared at her father incredulously.
Han's face broke into the trademark Solo grin. "I've been watching you two circle each other for years, ever since you turned eighteen Jaina. The war brought you together again, cementing my suspicions and I was starting to wonder if you'd ever grow up to admit it."
She was stunned, speechless. Her father approved?! She sat back with a thump, all the starch seeming to drain from her knees. She'd been blindsided by something she'd never thought possible.
Kyp's quiet laughter slowly penetrated her awareness and she looked at him, her eyes still wide with shock. His head was thrown back, resting against the wall, his laughter sounding slightly choked. He found this all very amusing.
Han shook his head, watching them both before stepping forward to place a bottle and three glasses on the table. "Shall we celebrate?"
Jaina dropped her head to the table. This couldn't be happening; it had to be a dream. Her father would never approve of Kyp Durron no matter how much he respected the younger man!
Kyp pulled himself back under control, unable to wipe the grin off his face. Jaina was curled forward, muttering something under her breath that sounded distinctly like she had to be dreaming. He slid an arm around her shoulders, "Jay?"
She didn't respond, just stayed where she was. Kyp shook her a little. "Jaina?"
"I'm dreaming," she said at last, still not lifting her head, her voice muffled. "I have to be. My dad doesn't take this kind of news like I want him to."
Han chuckled. "You're wrong, princess."
Her head came up slowly only to find her father pouring three glasses of Corellian Brandy. Han held one out to his daughter and she slowly took it, looking at him suspiciously. "This is a sick joke, right? You're just waiting until Kyp leaves to rant and rave about how irresponsible I'm being?"
Han chuckled. "Hardly. Your mother on the other hand... She wasn't too pleased to hear about your broken engagement."
"Mom? She's here?" she'd forgotten. She remembered her mother's happy response to the news of her engagement.
"She's here." Leia stepped into the room, her gaze hard on her daughter and the man who had an arm around her. "And I have to say I'm not impressed, Jaina. Not at all."
Jaina paled. She'd rarely heard her mother use that tone of voice and the steel the former politician could put into her words was daunting. "Mom. It's good to see you."
"Is it?" Leia didn't sit; she crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the two as if they were teenagers caught making out on the living room couch.
"Now Leia." Han started, moving to get up.
"Don't you 'now Leia' me!" she snapped, "You're encouraging them!"
Han shrugged. "She could do much worse."
Jaina wanted to sink into the floor. "Mom, it's not as bad as it looks."
"It's worse than it looks." She commented dryly. "My only daughter is attaching herself to the only Jedi I know who's destroyed a planet willingly and lived to talk about it. He's lied to her at every turn and is the most irresponsible man I've ever met! You could do worse?" Leia asked scathingly, "You could do so much better!"
"Mom!" Jaina said horrified, looking at Kyp. She'd never been so embarrassed by her mother in her life. Kyp didn't seem phased by the harsh words, but Jaina could tell he'd been stung. They hadn't expected Leia to be the one to object. "You couldn't wait to rag on me in private, could you?" Jaina demanded, jumping to her feet to glare, "You just had to do it all while Kyp is right here!"
"I'd rather say it only once and he should know how I feel about this." Leia replied, looking directly at Kyp. "What have you to say for yourself, Master Jedi?" The way she used his title implied an insult and Kyp's gaze hardened.
"I'm sorry you find this so objectionable, Leia." Kyp told her calmly, his hands clenching on his thighs. "But I do love you daughter, very much."
"I find that hard to believe." She spat, "You've loved nothing but yourself since the day I met you. You ignore authority to go after what you want, you lie your way into people's trust, you then abuse that trust and expect people to forgive you! Why shouldn't I find this objectionable?"
"Mom!" Jaina was mortified. She slid across Kyp's lap and got to her feet, facing down her mother. "You have no right!" she hissed. "No right to judge Kyp!"
"I have every right, Jaina! You're my daughter. My -daughter-! I refuse to stand by idly and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life!"
"My biggest mistake would have been marrying Jag!" Jaina yelled. "You would rather I condemn myself to a life with someone I don't love?"
"I want you to be happy," Leia told her, shaking her head. "Kyp can't do that for you, Jaina. I've watched you with Kyp, seen the way he's hurt you in the past. How can you just forget that? How can you forget that he's lied to you on several occasions and used you, -used- you!, for his own advantage?"
Jaina clenched her hands at her side, "And dad never lied to you?" she demanded hotly, "He never did something, or told you something, that you later forgave? I find that hard to believe with how many years you've been married!"
"Woah," Han stood, getting between the two women, "Easy there ladies. Leia, Jaina's a grown woman, she can make her own decisions."
"I never said she couldn't, I just don't want to see her make the wrong one."
"In your eyes!" Jaina shouted. "Mom, I love Kyp, I've been in love with Kyp for years. I just never realized it until two nights ago when he showed me what was missing in my relationship with Jag!"
Han rounded on her, "He what?"
Jaina was too upset to care about her father's sudden change of mood, or to care that she was probably giving them too much information. "He showed me, how many-" she shouted, only to be cut off by Kyp as he stood and wrapped his hand around her mouth, his other arm sliding around her waist like a band of durasteel.
"I don't think they need to know that, Jay." He whispered to her softly, his eyes on Han's face.
Leia was glaring at Kyp. "You seduced my daughter?"
Han looked pointedly at Kyp, "Did you?"
Jaina struggled against his hand, shaking her head vehemently and even though she couldn't speak around his hand, she tried. Kyp ignored her sharp elbow to his gut, concentrating on keeping her calm. "Jaina! This isn't helping." He finally snapped, making her pause. She was breathing heavily, her face flushed, her eyes glittering with outrage. Kyp slowly removed his hand.
Her words were quick and he didn't react fast enough to cover her mouth again. "He didn't have to seduce me!"
"Jaina!" Leia's tone was aghast.
Kyp slowly released Jaina, shaking his head. "Everyone -quiet-!" he finally snapped, throwing the full weight of his Force abilities into the command. He was fed up; this had to stop. Surprisingly, since neither of the women was suspecting it, it worked.
Silence and tension descended, so thick he could have cut it with his lightsabre. Kyp ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. "Ok, let's start this over from the beginning. Arguing about who's making mistakes is not going to get us anywhere. I'm sorry you find me an objectionable match for Jaina, Leia, but my feelings for her are true. As true as yours for Han."
"I don't-"
He held up his hand cutting her off. "I'm not finished." He pinned Han and Leia with a look. "Explaining isn't working, so I'm simply going to tell you outright. When Jag has been removed completely from the picture, I will be asking Jaina to marry me. Not before. It's not fair for me to take advantage of her in a vulnerable situation and neither should you. We're not asking for your permission, we're telling you of our relationship. It's not essential that you approve, but it would be nice to have your blessing."
"You want to marry me?"
He turned, looking down into Jaina's shocked face. Her words had been barely a whisper. He nodded, smiling gently. "I do," he told her softly. "But let's talk about that later, okay?"
She blinked, nodding, and managed to shake off the shock due to the proximity of her parents. Her father looked pleased, but annoyed all at the same time. A look only Han Solo could have pulled off, and her mother looked horrified. Kyp met Han's gaze. "We've been friends a long time, Han, and you know I'd never do anything to hurt her."
"You already have." Leia told him crossly.
"Clear the slate Leia, let me start over." He entreated her earnestly as Jaina wrapped an arm around his waist, "I swear to you I'll take care of her."
"Please mom," Jaina begged softly. "Just be happy for me, for us?"
Han slipped an arm around Leia's shoulders. "Bend, Princess," he urged softly, "I hate to admit it, but she's grown up and knows how to make her own decisions."
Leia met Jaina's gaze. "I just don't want to see you hurt, baby. Kyp's track record for doing that to you is pretty long."
"Clean slate, mom," she begged softly. "Please? If nothing else his ability to get through to me should count in his favor. Jag never could."
Leia sighed. "I don't like it, I may never like it, but..." she looked up at her husband, "I'll try to accept it."
Jaina leapt across the compartment and hugged both of her parents, wrapping her mother in a tight, grateful hug. "Thank you," she whispered softly.
"Be happy, Jaina." Leia told her in return, "If he hurts you again, I'll kill him."
Kyp waited until Jaina pulled herself away from her parents and reached for him. He gladly took her hand, feeling just a little left out, but willing to let her have her time. He stepped closer and offered his hand to Han, who shook it. "Take care of her, kid."
"I intend to." Kyp looked down at Jaina as Leia turned and left the cabin without speaking to him. "I'm sorry Leia doesn't approve of our relationship."
Han shrugged, slapping him on the arm. "She'll come around. So what exactly did you do to show her what she was missing with Jag?"
"Dad!" Jaina blushed.
Kyp shrugged. "I ran away from her."
Han began to laugh. "Did someone get a holo of that one?"
Kyp shrugged again, grinning, "I'll ask around for you."
"Sit," Han waved them back towards the table, "There's a bottle of perfectly good Brandy I don't want to see go to waste."
Jaina settled against Kyp at the table, her back still tense, but not as bad as before. She and Kyp would get through this. It'd just take some doing.
Chapter 4
Kyp was restless. Jaina was avoiding him. Again. And it annoyed him to no end. He'd stuck to his room for the first little while, finding it rather unnecessary to look for trouble when trouble was sure to find him, but when the first couple of hours passed with no sign of Wedge, whom he was sure wanted a piece of him, or Jaina, he got restive. Sit-ups and push-ups just weren't cutting it and he rarely felt the need to hit something. But today was one of those days. Shrugging into his cloak, but not bothering to do it up, he left his room and started towards the public training room. They had a section of padded walls that were perfect for his moods like this. After all, he could only destroy so many helmets in a week before he used up his quota. He shook his head. That had been a dumb move on the flight deck earlier.
He entered the training room to find that only three other pilots, all longtime veterans who tended to avoid him, working at several of the machines. One was doing push-ups with a weight set on his shoulders, one was on a treadmill and the other was using the leg press. Kyp ignored them all, heading straight for the padded wall directly across from the door. There was a practice mat stretched out in front of it for those who knew hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately the only person on the ship who could, and would, spar with Kyp was avoiding him. Shrugging out of his cloak and tossing it to the side, the Jedi Master began a rigorous stretching routine pulling off his shirt and tossing it over with his cloak.
Kyp felt the eyes on him, but ignored them, continuing to stretch, closing his eyes. He stretched for several long minutes, taking the time to ensure he wouldn't injure himself. As angry and fed-up about the whole Jag issue as he was, getting himself injured wasn't going to help. Finally, he turned his back on the others in the gym-like area and headed for the wall.
A whistle of appreciation had him pausing. The younger of the three pilots was looking at him, his eyes wide. "Nice work Durron, she tear a strip off you or what?"
Kyp frowned. What was the younger man talking about? "I beg your pardon, Chitan?"
Chi shrugged. "Your back. I didn't figure the Goddess was one to use physical measures to punish."
Kyp blinked. His back? A flash of a memory ran through his head. Jaina, her back arching of his bed, her nails raking painfully down his bare back as he muffled her moans with his mouth. Oh boy. Did they look like slash marks? Probably. "Not normally no, but I figure she makes an exception for me. She didn't like being manhandled on the flight deck today."
Chi shook his head. "Better you than me, Durron." He said, turning away and going back to his work out.
Kyp turned, suddenly in desperate need of a good thrashing. How had he completely forgotten about the marks on his back? He knew the answer; because he'd healed the deepest, stinging ones immediately. The rest would heal, but they'd take time. He flinched. If Jaina found out about what he'd let the other pilots believe... he shook his head. It was better than having them know the truth, wasn't it? Not that anyone would ever believe him if he'd told them. He almost sneered. What did that say about his reputation? Bah, he didn't care. He punched the wall, feeling the padding give, and began systematically assaulting one of the outcroppings with a series of punches and kicks that always helped clear his mind. Only this time it wasn't helping.
Jaina. What was he going to do about her? And Han? He frowned, lashing out at the padding again and again. What was he going to tell Han? Jaina couldn't lie to her father, she knew that, but would she tell him the whole truth? Kyp sincerely hoped not; he liked his head where it was. He didn't really want one of the men he respected most on his case about his only daughter. He was absorbed in his work out, not even feeling the grudging respect coming from the other pilots in the room as he worked the wall over, never tiring, never slacking, his concentration seeming absolute. He didn't notice the growing crowd of pilots until he finally, after one long hour of almost non-stop punches and kicks he stopped. A murmur behind him had him turning, only to stop. He had an audience. He ran a hand through his hair, brushing the long bangs out of his eyes and then waved a hand towards his shirt. It rose and flew to his hand and he used it towel-like, wiping the sweat from his face chest before slinging it around his shoulders.
Nobody watching said anything as he collected his cape and slid it back around his shoulders before walking away from the training room. The door closed behind him and a satisfied smile crossed Kyp's face. He could -feel- the speculation behind him, the questions and amazement. That was not what people had expected when they'd walked into the training room. Satisfied, he headed back towards his room. If nothing else, he'd worked out a lot of frustration and tomorrow he'd be level headed to deal with Han. Level headed? He almost laughed. He was never level headed when it came to Han's daughter and with Jaina present it was going to be one hell of a reunion.
Jaina waited on the flight deck as the Millennium Falcon's landing struts touched the deck. Her father was here. Early. She smothered a yawn, trying not to think about the early hour. Yesterday had been draining, and she'd not even bothered to eat dinner before heading to bed, but 0400? Was her father insane? Wait, check that thought, this was Han Solo. Of course he was insane, if only a little; he'd had to be to have lived this long. She waited as the repulsors strained to level the awkward looking ship to the deck. She looked up as the sound of boot heels clicking on the deck caught her attention.
Kyp. Her breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of him. He looked rested, relaxed, and all too tempting at this hour of the morning. It wasn't fair. She had this sudden feeling of wanting to slam him into a bulkhead and either deck him or kiss him. Either would have worked at the moment; no one should be allowed to look at good at this hour! "Durron!" she snapped.
He stopped short of her and bowed mockingly. "Your greatness."
"Cute, cut it out. What are you doing here?"
"I thought it was obvious," Kyp told her grinning, "I've come to greet my old friend."
Jaina was about to tell him she didn't want him there when the repulsors died off and she turned. The sound of the Falcon's hatch opening, the two pressures beginning to equalize, had her looking towards the cockpit. Her father couldn't be seen but was that... No, it couldn't be! She stretched out with the Force, feeling her dad moving towards the landing ramp and in the cockpit, powering down the ship was her mother! Her mother? Oh no, could this get any worse? She wanted to scream. Kyp stepped next to her, affecting an easy, loose stance. "Relax," he told her softly, "things'll work out. You'll see."
She cast him a look that would have killed him if it could. "Easy for you to say," she muttered darkly.
Han Solo, his tread as even and sure as ever, his brown hair shot through with long lines of silver, stepped onto the ramp. Jaina grinned. Her father, except for his hair color, looked like the smuggler he'd been twenty years ago. She knew; she'd seen holos. She could feel Kyp's pleasure at seeing his old friend, but Jaina knew he'd wait for her lead. This was her family; she'd have to deal with them.
"Dad!" she strode forward to meet him and Han held out his arms, engulfing her in a huge hug.
"Jaina! Good to see you, princess."
She grinned, pulling back a little. "It's Goddess now, dad, I'm moving up in the ranks."
Han chuckled, "Well so it is. Should I be bowing?"
Jaina shook her head. "Nope, family's exempt."
Han winked at her before turning to her companion. "Kyp, kid, it's good to see you."
"Han." Kyp said warmly, clasping the hand the other man extended. "You're looking good, old man."
Han grinned, his grip as firm as ever, as he slapped Kyp on the shoulder. "You don't look too much worse for wear with Jaina around. You keeping her out of trouble?"
Jaina's eyes widened as she met Kyp's gaze. Trouble? She wanted to laugh. The only trouble she'd gotten into was with him around! "Uh, dad, there's something you'll want to hear from me before you hear it from General Antilles."
"This sounds serious. Why don't you two come on into the Falcon and we'll talk about it." Han's demeanor was easy going and Jaina relaxed somewhat. Her father could be a firecracker, but at least he seemed to take Kyp's presence there as normal. But she wasn't about to spit out her new relationship with him on the flight deck, especially with the trouble comment from her dad!
Kyp and Jaina followed Han into the Falcon, Jaina wondering idly why her mother was staying in the cockpit but thankful for not having to deal with her at the moment, as the three of them settled into the game room. Kyp and Jaina on either side of the dejarik table, Han in a chair over by some of the monitors. It was the most comfortable chair in the room and Jaina knew better than to comment about it.
Han Solo was getting old and he liked his comforts. Leaning back in his chair he looked at his daughter. "So what's this big thing I should hear from you instead of Wedge?"
"Kyp blew my Goddess cover yesterday."
Han raised an eyebrow. "How?"
Jaina flushed, "He... he was mad at me after the last engagement and when I refused to talk to him, he uh..."
"I took matters into my own hands," Kyp supplied. "I threw her over my shoulder and carried her off."
Han laughed. "Really?"
Kyp nodded, ignoring the kick Jaina applied to his shins. "Really."
"You actually picked her up while she was angry?"
"Yes sir."
Han stood, coming towards Kyp and slapping him on the shoulder. "You're crazy kid, not even I would do that when she was little." Han settled next to Jaina, leaning forward to look at them both. With Han on the circular seat, Jaina was trapped at the back, behind the table, between her father and Kyp. Kyp's thigh brushed against hers as he shifted and she fought to keep from jumping. Dammit, it wasn't supposed to happen like this!
"So tell me, what was this argument about?"
Kyp glanced at Jaina, arching an eyebrow as if to ask if she wanted to explain but she was too busy picking at the peeling paint on the game board. Obviously she'd decided to let him handle this. "Just standard pilot garbage. Who saved whom when they were supposed to be the one staying out of trouble."
"Jaina saved your life?"
"Well, if you want to interpret it that way..." Kyp told him grinning. "Ouch. Jay, stop it, I need those."
Jaina glared at him before turning to her dad.
Han was watching them both speculatively. "Did I miss something here? You two seem to be on edge and I have a hard time believing your conversation was only about Jaina saving your life, Kyp."
Jaina flushed. "Uh, dad, do you remember that transmission I sent you a few days ago?"
"Which one?" Han asked slyly, "You sent three."
"The uh... one about me and Jag."
Han looked pointedly at her hands. "I don't see a ring. I may be getting older, but I'm not blind."
Jaina folded her hands on the tabletop. "Well, I broke it off with Jag two days ago."
"Why?"
"He just wasn't what I needed." Kyp was mercifully silent, allowing her to explain. "I..." she paused. "Dad, I don't want you to take this wrong."
Han looked at Kyp. "Is this your fault?"
"Dad!" Jaina was aghast; what was Kyp going to say to that?
Han ignored her and Kyp met Han's gaze calmly. "Why is everything my fault?"
Han grinned. "Because you're supposed to be looking out for her. What'd you say to Jag to get him to let go?"
"He didn't say anything!" Jaina fairly screamed, "I told him it was over!"
Han looked back to her. "I find that a little hard to believe, princess. Your message was nothing short ecstatic, why would you break off an engagement you were thrilled to be in?"
"Because I'm not in love with Jag!" she snapped, "Why else?"
Han sat back, looking at her closely before getting to his feet. "I'll be right back. Neither of you go anywhere."
"But... dad..." Jaina watched him go, disappointed when he didn't answer her. She slumped back in the seat, her chin on her chest, and kicked the support to the table. "This is impossible. He'll never believe me now!"
Kyp hated seeing her so dejected, so confused. He reached out, shifting slightly so that he was closer to her, and slid his hands onto her shoulders, massaging gently. "Relax," he urged her, "it could have been worse. Han would have been outraged if he honestly thought you were making a mistake."
She lifted her head, allowing his hands to sooth the tension in her shoulders. "Do you really think so?"
He grinned, even though she couldn't see him. "I know so. You're so tense and your dad knows something is up, why don't you just tell him?"
"Me?" she turned to find him close, so close in fact that barely a hand width separated their faces and sucked in a sharp breath. Move! she commanded herself silently. But she couldn't. She was transfixed by his eyes, so deep they were almost green flames as he stared back. She licked her lips and his gaze dropped to her mouth. She inhaled sharply, "Kyp..."
His hand came up, of its own accord, and brushed her hair back over her ear, his fingers whisper soft over her cheek.
"We... we ca-"
He didn't listen, simply leaned forward and cut her off. Her lips moved under his, melting for a moment and kissing him back. Her hands grasped the front of his shirt, but couldn't seem to decide if she wanted to pull him closer or push him away.
"Jaina, I was talking... to..." Han's voice trailed off as he stepped back into the small room. His eyebrows hit his hairline as he leaned against the bulkhead, watching. "Ahem."
Jaina pulled away as if she'd been burned, heat scalding her cheeks as her horrified gaze went to her father. "Dad!"
Han nodded. "That's right, sweetheart, Dad."
She swallowed hard, recognizing that calm, low voice as Han at his deadliest. He was not impressed. "I... I can explain."
Kyp moved to get up but Han pinned him with a stare. "You're not getting out of this one, Durron. Stay put or Jedi or no Jedi, I'll take you out."
Kyp sat back down, leaning back as he affected a nonchalant pose. "It's not as bad as it looks, Han."
"I'll be the one to decide that. Start talking, Jaina, I'm waiting."
"Well, uh... It's a long story."
"This kiss or the way you ended up here?"
She flinched at the neutral tone in his voice. She wasn't sure if he was angry or thrilled, but he certainly seemed menacing. "Uh, how we got there. Kyp tried to push me away, I swear he did, but..."
"My daughter threw herself at the man who's constantly lied to her for the last five years?"
"Not constantly!" she shot back, not bothering to deny the first accusation. Why should she? It was true, after all. "He's been nothing but honest with me since he came back!"
"I find that hard to believe."
"Dad!" Jaina pushed herself to her feet. "I swear it's true. He's been here for me when nobody, not even Jag wanted to put up with me. He's not afraid to challenge me or make a scene. He's not scared to tarnish him image."
"Only because it's tarnished enough," Han commented dryly. "How long has this been going on?"
"A few days."
"Days?" Han's hand twitched, almost as if he wanted to reach for his blaster. "-Days-?! You broke your engagement with Jag for -him-?"
Kyp winced. Ouch, that accusatory tone was almost as bad as a lash.
"Yes." Jaina told her father stoically, feeling as if she was on trial. "I did."
"Why?"
Jaina looked down at Kyp. Why indeed? She was still having trouble with that one herself. She smiled slowly, the answer as plain as day. She would simply have to tell the truth; well part of it anyway. She winked at Kyp before turning back to her father. "Because something was missing with Jag," she said honestly. "I love Jag, dad, but I'm -in- love with Kyp. He brings a passion to my life that wasn't there before."
"It's about time you realized it."
"I know you don't... What?!" Jaina stared at her father incredulously.
Han's face broke into the trademark Solo grin. "I've been watching you two circle each other for years, ever since you turned eighteen Jaina. The war brought you together again, cementing my suspicions and I was starting to wonder if you'd ever grow up to admit it."
She was stunned, speechless. Her father approved?! She sat back with a thump, all the starch seeming to drain from her knees. She'd been blindsided by something she'd never thought possible.
Kyp's quiet laughter slowly penetrated her awareness and she looked at him, her eyes still wide with shock. His head was thrown back, resting against the wall, his laughter sounding slightly choked. He found this all very amusing.
Han shook his head, watching them both before stepping forward to place a bottle and three glasses on the table. "Shall we celebrate?"
Jaina dropped her head to the table. This couldn't be happening; it had to be a dream. Her father would never approve of Kyp Durron no matter how much he respected the younger man!
Kyp pulled himself back under control, unable to wipe the grin off his face. Jaina was curled forward, muttering something under her breath that sounded distinctly like she had to be dreaming. He slid an arm around her shoulders, "Jay?"
She didn't respond, just stayed where she was. Kyp shook her a little. "Jaina?"
"I'm dreaming," she said at last, still not lifting her head, her voice muffled. "I have to be. My dad doesn't take this kind of news like I want him to."
Han chuckled. "You're wrong, princess."
Her head came up slowly only to find her father pouring three glasses of Corellian Brandy. Han held one out to his daughter and she slowly took it, looking at him suspiciously. "This is a sick joke, right? You're just waiting until Kyp leaves to rant and rave about how irresponsible I'm being?"
Han chuckled. "Hardly. Your mother on the other hand... She wasn't too pleased to hear about your broken engagement."
"Mom? She's here?" she'd forgotten. She remembered her mother's happy response to the news of her engagement.
"She's here." Leia stepped into the room, her gaze hard on her daughter and the man who had an arm around her. "And I have to say I'm not impressed, Jaina. Not at all."
Jaina paled. She'd rarely heard her mother use that tone of voice and the steel the former politician could put into her words was daunting. "Mom. It's good to see you."
"Is it?" Leia didn't sit; she crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the two as if they were teenagers caught making out on the living room couch.
"Now Leia." Han started, moving to get up.
"Don't you 'now Leia' me!" she snapped, "You're encouraging them!"
Han shrugged. "She could do much worse."
Jaina wanted to sink into the floor. "Mom, it's not as bad as it looks."
"It's worse than it looks." She commented dryly. "My only daughter is attaching herself to the only Jedi I know who's destroyed a planet willingly and lived to talk about it. He's lied to her at every turn and is the most irresponsible man I've ever met! You could do worse?" Leia asked scathingly, "You could do so much better!"
"Mom!" Jaina said horrified, looking at Kyp. She'd never been so embarrassed by her mother in her life. Kyp didn't seem phased by the harsh words, but Jaina could tell he'd been stung. They hadn't expected Leia to be the one to object. "You couldn't wait to rag on me in private, could you?" Jaina demanded, jumping to her feet to glare, "You just had to do it all while Kyp is right here!"
"I'd rather say it only once and he should know how I feel about this." Leia replied, looking directly at Kyp. "What have you to say for yourself, Master Jedi?" The way she used his title implied an insult and Kyp's gaze hardened.
"I'm sorry you find this so objectionable, Leia." Kyp told her calmly, his hands clenching on his thighs. "But I do love you daughter, very much."
"I find that hard to believe." She spat, "You've loved nothing but yourself since the day I met you. You ignore authority to go after what you want, you lie your way into people's trust, you then abuse that trust and expect people to forgive you! Why shouldn't I find this objectionable?"
"Mom!" Jaina was mortified. She slid across Kyp's lap and got to her feet, facing down her mother. "You have no right!" she hissed. "No right to judge Kyp!"
"I have every right, Jaina! You're my daughter. My -daughter-! I refuse to stand by idly and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life!"
"My biggest mistake would have been marrying Jag!" Jaina yelled. "You would rather I condemn myself to a life with someone I don't love?"
"I want you to be happy," Leia told her, shaking her head. "Kyp can't do that for you, Jaina. I've watched you with Kyp, seen the way he's hurt you in the past. How can you just forget that? How can you forget that he's lied to you on several occasions and used you, -used- you!, for his own advantage?"
Jaina clenched her hands at her side, "And dad never lied to you?" she demanded hotly, "He never did something, or told you something, that you later forgave? I find that hard to believe with how many years you've been married!"
"Woah," Han stood, getting between the two women, "Easy there ladies. Leia, Jaina's a grown woman, she can make her own decisions."
"I never said she couldn't, I just don't want to see her make the wrong one."
"In your eyes!" Jaina shouted. "Mom, I love Kyp, I've been in love with Kyp for years. I just never realized it until two nights ago when he showed me what was missing in my relationship with Jag!"
Han rounded on her, "He what?"
Jaina was too upset to care about her father's sudden change of mood, or to care that she was probably giving them too much information. "He showed me, how many-" she shouted, only to be cut off by Kyp as he stood and wrapped his hand around her mouth, his other arm sliding around her waist like a band of durasteel.
"I don't think they need to know that, Jay." He whispered to her softly, his eyes on Han's face.
Leia was glaring at Kyp. "You seduced my daughter?"
Han looked pointedly at Kyp, "Did you?"
Jaina struggled against his hand, shaking her head vehemently and even though she couldn't speak around his hand, she tried. Kyp ignored her sharp elbow to his gut, concentrating on keeping her calm. "Jaina! This isn't helping." He finally snapped, making her pause. She was breathing heavily, her face flushed, her eyes glittering with outrage. Kyp slowly removed his hand.
Her words were quick and he didn't react fast enough to cover her mouth again. "He didn't have to seduce me!"
"Jaina!" Leia's tone was aghast.
Kyp slowly released Jaina, shaking his head. "Everyone -quiet-!" he finally snapped, throwing the full weight of his Force abilities into the command. He was fed up; this had to stop. Surprisingly, since neither of the women was suspecting it, it worked.
Silence and tension descended, so thick he could have cut it with his lightsabre. Kyp ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. "Ok, let's start this over from the beginning. Arguing about who's making mistakes is not going to get us anywhere. I'm sorry you find me an objectionable match for Jaina, Leia, but my feelings for her are true. As true as yours for Han."
"I don't-"
He held up his hand cutting her off. "I'm not finished." He pinned Han and Leia with a look. "Explaining isn't working, so I'm simply going to tell you outright. When Jag has been removed completely from the picture, I will be asking Jaina to marry me. Not before. It's not fair for me to take advantage of her in a vulnerable situation and neither should you. We're not asking for your permission, we're telling you of our relationship. It's not essential that you approve, but it would be nice to have your blessing."
"You want to marry me?"
He turned, looking down into Jaina's shocked face. Her words had been barely a whisper. He nodded, smiling gently. "I do," he told her softly. "But let's talk about that later, okay?"
She blinked, nodding, and managed to shake off the shock due to the proximity of her parents. Her father looked pleased, but annoyed all at the same time. A look only Han Solo could have pulled off, and her mother looked horrified. Kyp met Han's gaze. "We've been friends a long time, Han, and you know I'd never do anything to hurt her."
"You already have." Leia told him crossly.
"Clear the slate Leia, let me start over." He entreated her earnestly as Jaina wrapped an arm around his waist, "I swear to you I'll take care of her."
"Please mom," Jaina begged softly. "Just be happy for me, for us?"
Han slipped an arm around Leia's shoulders. "Bend, Princess," he urged softly, "I hate to admit it, but she's grown up and knows how to make her own decisions."
Leia met Jaina's gaze. "I just don't want to see you hurt, baby. Kyp's track record for doing that to you is pretty long."
"Clean slate, mom," she begged softly. "Please? If nothing else his ability to get through to me should count in his favor. Jag never could."
Leia sighed. "I don't like it, I may never like it, but..." she looked up at her husband, "I'll try to accept it."
Jaina leapt across the compartment and hugged both of her parents, wrapping her mother in a tight, grateful hug. "Thank you," she whispered softly.
"Be happy, Jaina." Leia told her in return, "If he hurts you again, I'll kill him."
Kyp waited until Jaina pulled herself away from her parents and reached for him. He gladly took her hand, feeling just a little left out, but willing to let her have her time. He stepped closer and offered his hand to Han, who shook it. "Take care of her, kid."
"I intend to." Kyp looked down at Jaina as Leia turned and left the cabin without speaking to him. "I'm sorry Leia doesn't approve of our relationship."
Han shrugged, slapping him on the arm. "She'll come around. So what exactly did you do to show her what she was missing with Jag?"
"Dad!" Jaina blushed.
Kyp shrugged. "I ran away from her."
Han began to laugh. "Did someone get a holo of that one?"
Kyp shrugged again, grinning, "I'll ask around for you."
"Sit," Han waved them back towards the table, "There's a bottle of perfectly good Brandy I don't want to see go to waste."
Jaina settled against Kyp at the table, her back still tense, but not as bad as before. She and Kyp would get through this. It'd just take some doing.