Strong Enough
Chapter 9
Kyp was rising from under his X-wing when voice called his name. "Master Durron?"
His head came up. A tall, lanky young man, his black hair tied back at the nape of his neck with a thong, his emerald eyes clear and blazing with life, was approaching him. Walking at his side, struggling to break his grip on her wrist, was the blonde haired, barefooted waif that was to be put in his charge. His gaze went back to the man and he raised an eyebrow. "Zekk?"
The younger man smiled, extending his hand. "I see you remember. You remember Tahiri?"
Kyp wiped his hand on a rag before shaking Zekk's hand. "Yes. I only got the message from Luke yesterday, you were already enroute?"
Zekk nodded. "We set out as soon as the council made their decision. Unfortunately the message was relayed so many times due to the erratic movement of the fleet that you got it much later than planned. Master Skywalker had hoped to give you a week or so to prepare."
Kyp shrugged, "A day's notice is better than getting the note after the fact. How'd you get charged with her?" his gaze went to Tahiri who was tugging on her hand, trying to pry Zekk's fingers from around her wrist and failing. She was shorter than even Jaina, a tiny thing by anyone's standards and Kyp again wondered why he'd been charged with her.
"I think Master Skywalker only wanted Jedi who've touched the darkside to deal with her," Zekk looked down at the young blonde woman, his features softening. "I don't blame him. Nor do I envy you. A week and a half alone with her was certainly a challenge."
"I'm standing right here," Tahiri said peevishly, glaring at Zekk, "and I can hear everything you're saying."
"Ahh, the spitfire has life," Zekk teased, ruffling her hair, "easy sprite, I was just teasing."
Kyp watched avidly as Zekk gently teased the fragile young girl. He seemed to have made some kind of agreement with her and Kyp found that very intriguing. "You've grown attached to her."
Zekk looked back to the Jedi Master. "I feel like her older brother," he winked at Kyp, "I'm about the only contact she's had the last month."
Kyp chuckled, "Care to stick around for a few days? I'm sure Jaina would appreciate your help. I know I would."
"I appreciate the offer but-"
"Please, Zekk?" Tahiri pleaded softly, looking at him.
Zekk crumbled at the quaver in her voice, "Oh alright. Twist my rubber arm. Is Jaina around? I'd like to say hi."
Kyp shook his head. "Last I heard she was in her quarters. She and Jag had something serious to discuss."
"Ahh." Zekk shook his head. "I'll leave her be then. If you'll just point me to quarters, I'll get our things from the Lightning Rod and leave you to talk to Tahiri."
Tahiri protested but Kyp ignored her, quickly giving the young Jedi Knight directions and the room numbers assigned Tahiri and her escort by Wedge. Zekk dropped Tahiri's wrist and wandered off after throwing a jaunty wave over his shoulder.
Kyp looked down at Tahiri, noting how she seemed to lose fire and energy as Zekk passed out of sight. A darker presence, an aura of hatred and despair was quick to close in, making her Force signature jump in power. Kyp shook his head. "Tahiri."
She didn't even look at him, simply stared at her feet, her hands folded behind her back. The aura slowly gained in power and Kyp knew he had to do something or she'd start throwing Force lightning around. Or try. And that would be detrimental to everyone except him. He grabbed her by the shoulders only to receive a vicious Force shove, throwing his arms from her body. "Don't touch me," she hissed, stepping away, her eyes blazing with anger all of a sudden. "Nobody's allowed to touch me but Anakin!"
"Tahiri." Kyp said sternly. Whatever Zekk had done to get past that initial reaction had obviously taken a long time. He's had to sit and have a serious discussion with the Jedi Knight. Anything Zekk had discovered in his time with this young woman would be useful. "This isn't going to help."
"The pain goes away," she spat, "why shouldn't I be angry? Being angry means I don't have to hurt!" she reached forward, slamming her hands into his chest but Kyp was ready for it.
He countered, absorbing the Force blow and turning it back on her, sending her sprawling to the deck. "Don't play that game with me, Veila," he told her evenly, "you'll lose."
She was slow to push herself off the deck and Kyp could sense the sudden waves of agonizing despair that almost staggered him. She's far more dangerous that Luke thought, he found himself thinking. Powerful emotions like that can lead to worse mishaps. Vader-like mishaps.
Tahiri pushed herself to her hands and knees but collapsed back to the deck, resting her forehead against the cool metal plates. Kyp caught the sudden sound of choked crying and walked over, kneeling down beside her. "Tahiri?" he asked, reaching out to touch her.
She didn't move this time when his hand settled on her shoulder. "I miss him," her words were choked, whispered, and Kyp's heart went out to her. She was confused, in pain, more pain than he bet anyone else really understood, and lashing out the only way she knew how to keep it at bay. And she was losing herself in the process.
"Sleep," he urged, using the Force to strengthen the command. In her chaotic emotional state, she almost resisted, but Kyp pushed it, leaning into the command more so than he would with anyone else, and she slumped to the deck. He shook his head, carefully collecting the young woman in his arms and getting to his feet. Darkside spiral. Right. More like a long walk off a short cliff if she kept going the way she was. Shaking his head, he carried her from the flight deck and towards the room she'd been assigned. Zekk was arriving as he did and opened the door for him. Kyp placed the younger woman on the single bed in the room and stepped back.
Zekk placed Tahiri's bag of possessions by the foot of her bed, "What happened?"
"I sent her into a Force induced sleep." Kyp replied evenly. "She started to flip out when I tried to touch her."
"Oh, sorry, I should have mentioned that," Zekk sighed, shaking his head. "She's had it pretty rough, Master Durron-"
"Call me Kyp. Master Durron is a mouthful."
Zekk chuckled. "Alright then, Kyp, she's been bounced from place to place since Anakin died, never really having anyone to hold onto or anything. Anakin was her constant. I'm sure you know all this." He gave Kyp a ghost of a smile. "I've been hanging around with her alot in the last while, one of the reasons I was asked to bring her to you. I'm not Anakin, but I'm willing to stay for awhile if she asks me too."
"I appreciate that, Zekk." Kyp clapped the other man on the shoulder. "I want to run a deep Force scan on her but Jaina should be included in any further
discussions. Think you could go get her for me?"
"Sure. Where're her quarters?"
"She's in with the other officers. You can't miss it, it's the biggest door in the hall and says "Goddess" beside it."
Zekk chuckled, "Sounds good. I'll be back in a few."
Kyp watched the other man leave and felt a moment of apprehension. Would Jaina be in any shape to deal with Zekk? Would she even listen to him? He shook his head. From what he understood, Zekk was Jaina's best friend and he'd probably be more welcome than Kyp after a fight with Jag, if that's what had happened. Kyp shook his head. He was dying to know what had been said, to go to her, to see her, to hold her in his arms and tell her things would be alright, but there was a very sick young woman who needed his help and Jaina was strong. Stronger than he thought she knew. She'd come find him if things got really out of hand. He simply had to trust her.
Zekk knocked on Jaina's door with a tap that was uniquely his. The force, the rhythm, wasn't used by anyone else, and Jaina would know it. Afterall, she'd been the one to comment on the unique style. The door opened a couple of moments later and the smile beginning to form on Zekk's lips died.
Jaina's face was streaked with tears, her eyes swollen and red from crying, her lip bloodied where she'd bitten it. "Jaina?" he asked concerned.
"Zekk." She sobbed once, throwing herself at him and wrapping her arms around his chest so tightly he grunted from the impact.
He took a couple of steps into her room and closed the door, leaning back against it as she began to cry into his shoulder. What was wrong with her? he wondered silently. What had been said between her and Jag? But he didn't pester her with his questions, instead he simply held her as tightly as she held him, stroking her hair and murmuring softly that it would be ok, she wasn't alone now.
After several long minutes her hold finally began to relax and her sobs ebbed off. She hiccupped and he grinned. Same Jaina. Gently tilting her face he found her cheeks flooded with embarrassed color. He clucked his tongue. "Why're you red?" he asked softly. "It's not the first time you've used me as a shoulder to cry on."
"It's everything," she muttered, hiccupping again. She sighed, pulling away and taking a deep breath.
Zekk chuckled softly, entering her 'fresher and retrieving a cloth and a glass of water. He handed them to her as she sat on the edge of her bed, "Here."
"Thanks," she said softly, amazed he still remembered. She downed the glass quickly, killing her hiccups, and then wiped her face. The cool cloth helped bring back some of her sanity and she pulled it away after several moments. Zekk had seated himself on the edge of her desk, more like a lean, and she studied him. He hadn't changed much, gotten broader in the chest and tougher maybe, but the calm acceptance in his green eyes hadn't changed. She tossed the cloth back towards the 'fresher before placing her cup on her nightstand. "I wasn't expecting you." She told him, meeting his gaze, "What're you doing here?"
He laughed. "That's some welcome, Goddess."
She smiled ruefully. "Sorry. It's good to see you, Zekk."
"I'd say the same, but something's obviously eating at you. Kyp sent me."
Her head came up. "Kyp?" she asked confused. Why would Kyp send Zekk to her?
Zekk nodded. "I was in charge of bringing Tahiri to you two..." he trailed off as she paled, her head sinking down in her hands. "Jaina?"
"I can't." she muttered thickly. "I can't deal with her today, not now. Tomorrow maybe, but..."
Zekk crossed the room, crouching in front of her, "Jaya? What's wrong?"
She lifted her head. "Everything."
"You need a friend? I'm here if you do."
She smiled faintly. "I know. I just... It's personal and you've got a-"
"Vested interest?" he asked sardonically. "Strange as it sounds I've been seeing someone when I get the chance to get back to Mon Calamari. Someday I hope you'll meet her, but that's neither here nor there. What's wrong? Is it Jag?"
She nodded, breathing a silent sigh of relief. "Yeah, it's Jag, the engagement, everything."
"Engagement?" Zekk's eyebrows rose, "You and him? No offense, Jay, but I didn't picture you as the type to settle down with someone as structured as him."
She laughed, finding a smile. "I know, me either. You're right, of course, I broke off the engagement today."
"Then what's the problem?"
Jaina flopped back on her bed, throwing her arm over her eyes. "I feel terrible for doing it but at the same time a part of me is rejoicing and it makes me feel worse."
Zekk chuckled, sitting on the edge of her bed and pulling her arm from her eyes. "You feel bad because you feel good?"
"I broke his heart, Zekk."
"I know the feeling," he told her with a smile that said he didn't have any hard feelings. "But you have to do what's best for you. Jag obviously wasn't it. Did you come to this decision all by yourself?"
"No." she sighed, pushing herself up on her elbows. "See, that's the thing, there was no passion with Jag, but then he left for maneuvers and Kyp showed me-"
"Kyp?" Zekk broke in, beginning to laugh. "As in Kyp Durron?"
She nodded, "Don't laugh, it's true!"
"I thought you hated his guts."
"I did."
Zekk arched an eyebrow, a teasing grin playing about his lips. "So you're telling me that you just got rid of the guy you chose to date instead of me and now you're dropping him in favor of a Jedi Master who's always teasing you?"
She nodded, "Uh, yeah, I guess you could put it that way."
Zekk laughed. "You're a glutton for punishment, Jaya."
She swatted him on the arm. "I thought you were supposed to be making me feel better."
"It's working isn't it?" he winked, drawing a smile in return. "Look, Jag obviously wasn't what you needed, and neither was I. Kyp, much as I'm having a problem wrapping that around in my brain, might be able to give you what you need. You'll never know until you try, right?"
"Right." She said uncertainly.
Zekk shook his head, pulling her up as he got to his feet. "Jaya, you've got to do what you feel is right. If breaking your engagement was right for you, then it's the right course of action. Trust me. I wouldn't want you to marry anyone you weren't in love with and neither would anyone in your family. Neither would you. You'd die in a love-less relationship."
She smiled slowly, getting to her feet and wrapping her arms around him again. "Thank you," she said softly. "I just needed someone else to remind me."
Zekk hugged her back, kissing the crown of her head. "I know you're hurting, and I'm sorry about that, but Kyp asked me to bring you back so that he can discuss what to do about Tahiri. From the sound of it I might be around for awhile."
"But, what about your girl back on Mon Calamari?"
Zekk smiled. "She's off on maneuvers right now. Relax, Stix," he teased, tucking her under his arm and hitting the door panel. "Things will work out in the end, you'll see."
Jaina laughed softly and began to relax in the company of her oldest friend. Zekk's presence was comforting, like an old blanket, and she would never be able to repay him for his words today. And she knew he'd never expect her to.
Chapter 9
Kyp was rising from under his X-wing when voice called his name. "Master Durron?"
His head came up. A tall, lanky young man, his black hair tied back at the nape of his neck with a thong, his emerald eyes clear and blazing with life, was approaching him. Walking at his side, struggling to break his grip on her wrist, was the blonde haired, barefooted waif that was to be put in his charge. His gaze went back to the man and he raised an eyebrow. "Zekk?"
The younger man smiled, extending his hand. "I see you remember. You remember Tahiri?"
Kyp wiped his hand on a rag before shaking Zekk's hand. "Yes. I only got the message from Luke yesterday, you were already enroute?"
Zekk nodded. "We set out as soon as the council made their decision. Unfortunately the message was relayed so many times due to the erratic movement of the fleet that you got it much later than planned. Master Skywalker had hoped to give you a week or so to prepare."
Kyp shrugged, "A day's notice is better than getting the note after the fact. How'd you get charged with her?" his gaze went to Tahiri who was tugging on her hand, trying to pry Zekk's fingers from around her wrist and failing. She was shorter than even Jaina, a tiny thing by anyone's standards and Kyp again wondered why he'd been charged with her.
"I think Master Skywalker only wanted Jedi who've touched the darkside to deal with her," Zekk looked down at the young blonde woman, his features softening. "I don't blame him. Nor do I envy you. A week and a half alone with her was certainly a challenge."
"I'm standing right here," Tahiri said peevishly, glaring at Zekk, "and I can hear everything you're saying."
"Ahh, the spitfire has life," Zekk teased, ruffling her hair, "easy sprite, I was just teasing."
Kyp watched avidly as Zekk gently teased the fragile young girl. He seemed to have made some kind of agreement with her and Kyp found that very intriguing. "You've grown attached to her."
Zekk looked back to the Jedi Master. "I feel like her older brother," he winked at Kyp, "I'm about the only contact she's had the last month."
Kyp chuckled, "Care to stick around for a few days? I'm sure Jaina would appreciate your help. I know I would."
"I appreciate the offer but-"
"Please, Zekk?" Tahiri pleaded softly, looking at him.
Zekk crumbled at the quaver in her voice, "Oh alright. Twist my rubber arm. Is Jaina around? I'd like to say hi."
Kyp shook his head. "Last I heard she was in her quarters. She and Jag had something serious to discuss."
"Ahh." Zekk shook his head. "I'll leave her be then. If you'll just point me to quarters, I'll get our things from the Lightning Rod and leave you to talk to Tahiri."
Tahiri protested but Kyp ignored her, quickly giving the young Jedi Knight directions and the room numbers assigned Tahiri and her escort by Wedge. Zekk dropped Tahiri's wrist and wandered off after throwing a jaunty wave over his shoulder.
Kyp looked down at Tahiri, noting how she seemed to lose fire and energy as Zekk passed out of sight. A darker presence, an aura of hatred and despair was quick to close in, making her Force signature jump in power. Kyp shook his head. "Tahiri."
She didn't even look at him, simply stared at her feet, her hands folded behind her back. The aura slowly gained in power and Kyp knew he had to do something or she'd start throwing Force lightning around. Or try. And that would be detrimental to everyone except him. He grabbed her by the shoulders only to receive a vicious Force shove, throwing his arms from her body. "Don't touch me," she hissed, stepping away, her eyes blazing with anger all of a sudden. "Nobody's allowed to touch me but Anakin!"
"Tahiri." Kyp said sternly. Whatever Zekk had done to get past that initial reaction had obviously taken a long time. He's had to sit and have a serious discussion with the Jedi Knight. Anything Zekk had discovered in his time with this young woman would be useful. "This isn't going to help."
"The pain goes away," she spat, "why shouldn't I be angry? Being angry means I don't have to hurt!" she reached forward, slamming her hands into his chest but Kyp was ready for it.
He countered, absorbing the Force blow and turning it back on her, sending her sprawling to the deck. "Don't play that game with me, Veila," he told her evenly, "you'll lose."
She was slow to push herself off the deck and Kyp could sense the sudden waves of agonizing despair that almost staggered him. She's far more dangerous that Luke thought, he found himself thinking. Powerful emotions like that can lead to worse mishaps. Vader-like mishaps.
Tahiri pushed herself to her hands and knees but collapsed back to the deck, resting her forehead against the cool metal plates. Kyp caught the sudden sound of choked crying and walked over, kneeling down beside her. "Tahiri?" he asked, reaching out to touch her.
She didn't move this time when his hand settled on her shoulder. "I miss him," her words were choked, whispered, and Kyp's heart went out to her. She was confused, in pain, more pain than he bet anyone else really understood, and lashing out the only way she knew how to keep it at bay. And she was losing herself in the process.
"Sleep," he urged, using the Force to strengthen the command. In her chaotic emotional state, she almost resisted, but Kyp pushed it, leaning into the command more so than he would with anyone else, and she slumped to the deck. He shook his head, carefully collecting the young woman in his arms and getting to his feet. Darkside spiral. Right. More like a long walk off a short cliff if she kept going the way she was. Shaking his head, he carried her from the flight deck and towards the room she'd been assigned. Zekk was arriving as he did and opened the door for him. Kyp placed the younger woman on the single bed in the room and stepped back.
Zekk placed Tahiri's bag of possessions by the foot of her bed, "What happened?"
"I sent her into a Force induced sleep." Kyp replied evenly. "She started to flip out when I tried to touch her."
"Oh, sorry, I should have mentioned that," Zekk sighed, shaking his head. "She's had it pretty rough, Master Durron-"
"Call me Kyp. Master Durron is a mouthful."
Zekk chuckled. "Alright then, Kyp, she's been bounced from place to place since Anakin died, never really having anyone to hold onto or anything. Anakin was her constant. I'm sure you know all this." He gave Kyp a ghost of a smile. "I've been hanging around with her alot in the last while, one of the reasons I was asked to bring her to you. I'm not Anakin, but I'm willing to stay for awhile if she asks me too."
"I appreciate that, Zekk." Kyp clapped the other man on the shoulder. "I want to run a deep Force scan on her but Jaina should be included in any further
discussions. Think you could go get her for me?"
"Sure. Where're her quarters?"
"She's in with the other officers. You can't miss it, it's the biggest door in the hall and says "Goddess" beside it."
Zekk chuckled, "Sounds good. I'll be back in a few."
Kyp watched the other man leave and felt a moment of apprehension. Would Jaina be in any shape to deal with Zekk? Would she even listen to him? He shook his head. From what he understood, Zekk was Jaina's best friend and he'd probably be more welcome than Kyp after a fight with Jag, if that's what had happened. Kyp shook his head. He was dying to know what had been said, to go to her, to see her, to hold her in his arms and tell her things would be alright, but there was a very sick young woman who needed his help and Jaina was strong. Stronger than he thought she knew. She'd come find him if things got really out of hand. He simply had to trust her.
Zekk knocked on Jaina's door with a tap that was uniquely his. The force, the rhythm, wasn't used by anyone else, and Jaina would know it. Afterall, she'd been the one to comment on the unique style. The door opened a couple of moments later and the smile beginning to form on Zekk's lips died.
Jaina's face was streaked with tears, her eyes swollen and red from crying, her lip bloodied where she'd bitten it. "Jaina?" he asked concerned.
"Zekk." She sobbed once, throwing herself at him and wrapping her arms around his chest so tightly he grunted from the impact.
He took a couple of steps into her room and closed the door, leaning back against it as she began to cry into his shoulder. What was wrong with her? he wondered silently. What had been said between her and Jag? But he didn't pester her with his questions, instead he simply held her as tightly as she held him, stroking her hair and murmuring softly that it would be ok, she wasn't alone now.
After several long minutes her hold finally began to relax and her sobs ebbed off. She hiccupped and he grinned. Same Jaina. Gently tilting her face he found her cheeks flooded with embarrassed color. He clucked his tongue. "Why're you red?" he asked softly. "It's not the first time you've used me as a shoulder to cry on."
"It's everything," she muttered, hiccupping again. She sighed, pulling away and taking a deep breath.
Zekk chuckled softly, entering her 'fresher and retrieving a cloth and a glass of water. He handed them to her as she sat on the edge of her bed, "Here."
"Thanks," she said softly, amazed he still remembered. She downed the glass quickly, killing her hiccups, and then wiped her face. The cool cloth helped bring back some of her sanity and she pulled it away after several moments. Zekk had seated himself on the edge of her desk, more like a lean, and she studied him. He hadn't changed much, gotten broader in the chest and tougher maybe, but the calm acceptance in his green eyes hadn't changed. She tossed the cloth back towards the 'fresher before placing her cup on her nightstand. "I wasn't expecting you." She told him, meeting his gaze, "What're you doing here?"
He laughed. "That's some welcome, Goddess."
She smiled ruefully. "Sorry. It's good to see you, Zekk."
"I'd say the same, but something's obviously eating at you. Kyp sent me."
Her head came up. "Kyp?" she asked confused. Why would Kyp send Zekk to her?
Zekk nodded. "I was in charge of bringing Tahiri to you two..." he trailed off as she paled, her head sinking down in her hands. "Jaina?"
"I can't." she muttered thickly. "I can't deal with her today, not now. Tomorrow maybe, but..."
Zekk crossed the room, crouching in front of her, "Jaya? What's wrong?"
She lifted her head. "Everything."
"You need a friend? I'm here if you do."
She smiled faintly. "I know. I just... It's personal and you've got a-"
"Vested interest?" he asked sardonically. "Strange as it sounds I've been seeing someone when I get the chance to get back to Mon Calamari. Someday I hope you'll meet her, but that's neither here nor there. What's wrong? Is it Jag?"
She nodded, breathing a silent sigh of relief. "Yeah, it's Jag, the engagement, everything."
"Engagement?" Zekk's eyebrows rose, "You and him? No offense, Jay, but I didn't picture you as the type to settle down with someone as structured as him."
She laughed, finding a smile. "I know, me either. You're right, of course, I broke off the engagement today."
"Then what's the problem?"
Jaina flopped back on her bed, throwing her arm over her eyes. "I feel terrible for doing it but at the same time a part of me is rejoicing and it makes me feel worse."
Zekk chuckled, sitting on the edge of her bed and pulling her arm from her eyes. "You feel bad because you feel good?"
"I broke his heart, Zekk."
"I know the feeling," he told her with a smile that said he didn't have any hard feelings. "But you have to do what's best for you. Jag obviously wasn't it. Did you come to this decision all by yourself?"
"No." she sighed, pushing herself up on her elbows. "See, that's the thing, there was no passion with Jag, but then he left for maneuvers and Kyp showed me-"
"Kyp?" Zekk broke in, beginning to laugh. "As in Kyp Durron?"
She nodded, "Don't laugh, it's true!"
"I thought you hated his guts."
"I did."
Zekk arched an eyebrow, a teasing grin playing about his lips. "So you're telling me that you just got rid of the guy you chose to date instead of me and now you're dropping him in favor of a Jedi Master who's always teasing you?"
She nodded, "Uh, yeah, I guess you could put it that way."
Zekk laughed. "You're a glutton for punishment, Jaya."
She swatted him on the arm. "I thought you were supposed to be making me feel better."
"It's working isn't it?" he winked, drawing a smile in return. "Look, Jag obviously wasn't what you needed, and neither was I. Kyp, much as I'm having a problem wrapping that around in my brain, might be able to give you what you need. You'll never know until you try, right?"
"Right." She said uncertainly.
Zekk shook his head, pulling her up as he got to his feet. "Jaya, you've got to do what you feel is right. If breaking your engagement was right for you, then it's the right course of action. Trust me. I wouldn't want you to marry anyone you weren't in love with and neither would anyone in your family. Neither would you. You'd die in a love-less relationship."
She smiled slowly, getting to her feet and wrapping her arms around him again. "Thank you," she said softly. "I just needed someone else to remind me."
Zekk hugged her back, kissing the crown of her head. "I know you're hurting, and I'm sorry about that, but Kyp asked me to bring you back so that he can discuss what to do about Tahiri. From the sound of it I might be around for awhile."
"But, what about your girl back on Mon Calamari?"
Zekk smiled. "She's off on maneuvers right now. Relax, Stix," he teased, tucking her under his arm and hitting the door panel. "Things will work out in the end, you'll see."
Jaina laughed softly and began to relax in the company of her oldest friend. Zekk's presence was comforting, like an old blanket, and she would never be able to repay him for his words today. And she knew he'd never expect her to.