*I don't own Jaina, or Kyp

*Or Zonama Sekot, come to think of it

*But I do own Kyp's X-Wing

*SUNCRUSHER AWESOMENESS

*And I do own Jag. Er, not really, of course, but in that fan-girly way

*Kyp/Jaina pwnz j00 all

*thank you

~

Could I tell him now? Jaina watched as Kyp climbed out of his Sekotan fighter and made his way over to the boras she was leaning on, a cocky air in his walk. The cocky, edgy attitude was what she used to hate about him; now she loved it. No. Not now.

"Good show, Sticks. How many skips was that, then? Couple hundred?" He grinned and ruffled her hair, then pulled her into a quick hug.

Jaina smiled. She hadn't killed any skips; by the time she'd arrived, the Vong had all surrendered. They were bringing the civilians to Zonama Sekot now.

"Jaina? No insult? No sarcastic remark?" Kyp made his face a fake picture of concern. "You're not ill, are you?"

Now! Do it! If he talks anymore you'll never do it. "I need to speak to you," she mumbled, refusing to meet his eyes.

Kyp paused for a second, and Jaina sensed him trying to reach out to her. She closed her mind to him and saw his look of surprise.

"Jaina?"

She shook her head, and led him to a quiet clearing in the tampasi. After checking there were no sneaky Ferroans hanging around, she sat on the soft grass and indicated Kyp to do the same. 

He studied her for a minute before speaking through the Force. Same kind of talk as last time?

Mutely, she nodded.

"And… is it the other way round now?"

Jaina looked Kyp in the eye and was shocked to realise that he wasn't surprised, or even that upset. He knew, she thought, he knew that we… us…

"I was so sure that we could… But it didn't. I'm sorry – it's me, I just can't…"

"You need Jag."

Jaina's eyes filled with tears as she nodded, and Kyp continued in the same soft voice he only used when talking to her.

"It's OK, I understand. I- I love you, Jaina, I really do, but I know that… we, us… it doesn't work. You and Jag does. And I love you too much to get in the way of something that'll make you happy."

Jaina looked up through her tears into Kyp's eyes – green like Jag's, but so much deeper and older and wiser. He's so much more than people think, Jaina realised, he deserves… what? More than he has.

She tried to speak, to express her gratitude for Kyp's understanding, for knowing how she felt without her having to say it. But her mouth refused to work and her mind was too overwhelmed to use the Force. Instead, she threw her arms round him in a hug, resting her head on his shoulder as he returned the embrace.

For a long time they stayed there, Jaina sobbing for the unfairness of love, Kyp comforting her but contemplating the same. Finally the tears stopped and she lay still, almost asleep in Kyp's arms.

Come on then, Sticks. Bed.

Supporting her arm, Kyp led Jaina back to his own hut and laid her on the floor, which moulded to her shape. Minutes went by, and still Kyp couldn't tear his gaze from the sleeping Jaina, beautiful Jaina, his for only a short time, but the best time…

Love you, Jaina.

Her eyes flickered and opened as Kyp moved and stood at the open door. Staring at the night sky, full of twinkling stars and planets looking down on the beautiful greenness of Zonama Sekot, he felt a touch on his arm. He whirled round to see Jaina standing there once again, her dark eyes flashing bright with new tears and something else, a longing. Once again, he hugged her tight, but this time he let her go after a second and met her gaze.

One last time, her eyes said.

Thoughts and feeling swirled inside his head, confused and muddled, but something stopped them spilling out to ruin the moment.

Love you, Jaina… One last time.