*I don't own Kyp or Jaina

*But I do own Jag

*Er, in that fan-girl way

*And I own Kyp's SUNCRUSHER AWESOMNESS X-Wing

*Wish I'd chosen Kyp himself, though

*thank you

~

That the night would never end; that's what Kyp had wished. But the Force doesn't grant wishes and when he woke up in the morning, Jaina was gone, only a slight dip in the floor to show she had been there – and a note.

Kyp held it close to him for a second, sensing Jaina's presence on it, then opened it and read the contents.

"Kyp,

Sorry. But you know why.

See you, maybe.

Love you always,

Jaina"

He lay back down on the soft bed-floor and stared at the roof of his living hut without really seeing it. He'd had the best time of his life, for the last few weeks; even if he'd seemed the same on the outside, he'd been the happiest he'd been in a long time. Jaina had chosen him.

But only for a few weeks.

I think I need to take a walk.

Pulling on his simple Jedi robes, he quickly walked out of the hut and slowed as he reached the tampasi. Walking among the boras, peaceful yet full of life, was an easy way to relax and a great place to think. Kyp needed to do a lot of thinking.

I've been through these feelings countless times and I always end up at the same conclusion. Jaina and I, it just doesn't work. There's too much between us. I love her and she… she loves me… and we know each other deeply… But it's just not meant to be.

Kyp froze as he heard voices and realised that, unconsciously, he had been heading towards the clearing from last night. He turned to take a different path, not wanting to disturb whoever was there now, when he recognised the voice.

"Jag! I'm trying to talk seriously here! Stop it!" The sound of Jaina laughing reached his ears.

Their clearing. Even though they'd only spent a few hours there, it was a few hours Kyp would remember for his whole life, and the clearing, the tampasi, was part of it, and now she had him there?

"What? I haven't seen you in over a month, what do you expect?"

"A little composure maybe? You're supposed to be a diplomat now, not just a hotshot starfighter pilot!"

Flyboy Jag, a diplomat? That was news to Kyp. But that might explain why he was here, and therefore, why yesterday… happened…

"OK, I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Jag's tone was faintly mocking.

"Oh, forget it, you ruined the moment."

"Oh, so now you don't want to talk? Make up your mind!"

There was silence for a moment, then muffled noises. Kids, thought Kyp in disgust, the tampasi of all places! Get a room!

Jaina laughed again. "Jag, stop it! Not here."

Oh good, one of you has a little sense.

"Well, where then? My ship's full of people and yours, well, I like X-Wings but I'm not that fond of them."

"Oh… I don't know then…"

"Where are you staying here? We could go there."

Kyp froze again and sensed Jaina's sudden tension.

"Uh… not really…"

Jag sighed. "Tampasi's starting to look really good now. Is there somewhere else or not?"

No, Kyp thought vehemently, no, not there, not there. Clearing's fine. Never liked tampasi that much anyway, go ahead-

"Well, I guess it might be OK, I mean by this time… But we can't be too long…"

"A month, Jaina, a month. We won't be."

She laughed again and Kyp heard rustles as they stood up. Hide, his instinct told him. Confront her, something else said. Before he could decide which part won, the branches in front of him parted and fate answered for him.

Jaina stared at him in horror and Kyp mirrored her expression, with more than a little discomfort added. Jag merely looked confused. Kyp tried to salvage the situation as best he could.

"Uh… wow. What a coincidence meeting you here, Jaina… and Jag… I was just walking through the tampasi… and I'll be on my way right now…"

"Kyp? You're on Zonama Sekot as well? What a happy coincidence for us all…" Jag glanced at Jaina with suspicion.

You heard us.

Half of Zonama Sekot heard you, Jaina. Having fun then?

"Stop with the Force thing, it makes conversations with us regular people a bit difficult."

"Sorry… we just…" Jaina tore her eyes away from Kyp's and looked at Jag.

"Oh, I don't need the Force to sense the tension. I'm just curious as to why it's there. I have a feeling it's not just residual leftovers from two years ago."

Kyp grinned, his eyes flashing darkly as he decided, and looked over at Jag. "Oh, Jaina and I are fine, we've become a lot… closer… since the end of the war. By the way, don't make too much mess back there, it might just be a hut but I like it the way it is. Catch you later then, Sticks."

Kyp left, walking straight forward and making no effort to avoid nudging Jaina. He blocked out Jag's voice behind him and, as soon as he thought he was out of sight, collapsed against a boras.

Jag and Jaina. He knew it was coming again but he didn't expect it so soon… Not after last night.

Kyp, I'm sorry.

Sorry, sorry. Sorry doesn't mean anything, Jaina. Sorry's just a word. Much like good-bye, thank you, and love.

Don't say that. I love you, you know that. Just not the way I love Jag.

But it's not the same way I love you. The way I thought you loved me. I guess I'm just stupid.

Kyp…

No, Jaina. Good-bye. Maybe I'll see you and maybe I won't. Not for a while.

…Forever and after, Kyp, that's how long I'll love you.

Despite himself, Kyp smiled, a smile that was quickly choked by a sob.

Always, Sticks. Always.