The K/J part of me successfully restrained the J/J part, apparently
so enjoy this chapter, K/J fans
although the first half just has some Solo-Skywalker family fun
I don't own the Solos or Skywalkers
or, duh, Kyp. Unfortunately.

Leia stood in the doorway to the spare room Jaina was sleeping in and watched her daughter for second. She was still asleep, her breathing slow and steady, the blankets wrapped and twisted around her – wait. Leia saw a section of black mixed up with the pale homespun blankets. It shimmered slightly in the morning sun and Leia sighed inwardly. Durron's cape; the cape her husband gave him so long ago.

Jaina stirred, and Leia hesitated. She had come to waken Jaina up for breakfast, but now she wasn't so sure she wanted to be here when she did wake up. But she stayed, leaning slightly on the doorjamb, and Jaina opened her eyes and looked up.

Leia smiled at Jaina's own soft smile and quiet yawn. "Sleep well?"

"Oh – yeah, eventually."

Eventually? Leia didn't ask. "I'd hurry up and get some breakfast. Your father's making it just now, but he's teaching Luke how to cook a typical Corellian breakfast and Luke's desperate to try it out for himself."

Jaina's eyes widened in alarm and she sat up quickly, kicking the blankets off. "I guess I better move while Dad's still cooking, huh?"

"That would be most wise," Leia answered dryly.

Jaina yawned again, and then froze as she noticed the cape still wrapped round her. "Uh…" She quickly pulled it off and scrunched it up, moving to put it back on the dresser. Leia sighed and reached out to take it from her, folding it up neatly herself.

"Thanks…" Jaina's face was slightly pink, Leia noted. Embarrassed. Obviously this situation was worse than she'd thought.

"Right. Well, 'fresher's down past Luke and Mara's room. I'll be sure and save you some real breakfast before Luke takes over." And Leia turned and left the room, back to the kitchen and the reassuring smell of toast burning.

"Morn', Jaya!" Ben greeted his older cousin as she entered the kitchen, still tying her damp hair back.

"Hi there, Ben. You alright today?"

"Yeah. Break'ast yum!"

Jaina smiled at him, and then glanced over at her dad. He was still fending off Luke's attempts to take over the cooking. "Your uncle's a good cook, huh?"

Ben nodded. "Better than daddy," he agreed. Luke shot him a quick glare.

Jaina grinned and stepped over to her dad and uncle. "Can I get some delicious Corellian breakfast then?"

Han looked round at her briefly. "Sure, sweetie. As soon as your uncle backs off for a minute and actually lets me make it."

Luke tried to look hurt. "I just want to learn from the master, that's all!"

"Ah – well, there is, of course, no better person to teach you." Han suddenly realised that Luke was trying to back him into a corner. "But no."

Jaina grinned apologetically at her uncle and moved past him to grab a plate. Han reached over and gave her some bacon, eggs and nerfsausages. She smiled at him and took the plate over to the table, sitting opposite her little cousin.

The breakfast was as good as she remembered, and it reminded her of her childhood – before the war, before the Academy even. She and her brothers would fight over who would get the first egg, the first piece of bacon, and Han would be sure to cook three at the same time, to share them out evenly. Jaina sighed, lost in the memories of childish squabbles, when the worst fights she got into were over breakfast. Things had certainly changed.

She glanced up again, catching Ben's grin. "What are you so happy about?"

"Jaya play today!"

"What?" Jaina was a little taken aback. "Oh, with your new toys, huh? Sure."

Ben paused for a second, looking thoughtful. "That too. But outside! Jaya take Ben out and play! And see Jasa and Danni and Tari and Tekki!"

"Uh…" Well, why not, huh? "Sure, OK then, Ben. We'll go out and play after breakfast."

"And Kee," he added.

Something in Jaina's stomach twisted. "Mm. Yeah, and Kee."

Jaina groaned and ran forward a few metres through the tampasi. "Slow down a minute, Ben!"

Ben was running away in front of her again, leading the way to Jacen and Danni's. He turned briefly and grinned childishly at her, waving for her to keep up. "Hurry, Jaya! Not far!"

Jaina pulled a face and ran a bit faster, dodging several boras as she chased Ben. Suddenly, there were no more boras to dodge, and Jaina found herself in an empty clearing beside a small collection of houses. Ben was a few metres away, sitting proudly on the ground in front of Jacen and Danni's door.

Jaina mock glared at him, but he just kept grinning, unabashed. Finally, she sighed and walked the last few metres to the house. The door opened as she approached and she found herself staring into the face of Danni Quee. Danni grinned and opened the door wider.

"Thought it was you. And-" she glanced down, "-Ben. How are you today?"

Ben stood up and smiled at Danni. "Good! Where Jasa?"

"He's still in bed." Danni shook her head. "That wretched man. He never seems to get up before midday if he can help it."

Jaina smiled wryly. "That's Jacen alright."

Danni looked back up at Jaina. "So. How are you? I never got much of a chance to talk to you yesterday, and I haven't seen you for over three months. How's peace keeping you?"

Jaina pulled a face. "It's been pretty boring, actually. A couple jobs of escort duty, but no battles. Just been doing regular old admin stuff. And helping Jag with politics," she added.

Danni nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose peace must seem really boring to you, since you practically grew up with fighting."

"Yeah."

"Well." Danni stepped back, pulling the door open wider. "Come on in and sit down. I'll see if I can't rustle something up to drink. Thirsty?"

Jaina nodded, stepping through the door. Ben ran past the two women and into the bedroom; Jaina stared after him and laughed when she heard Jacen's indignant shout.

"Yes, well, there's always the direct way to get him up," Danni noted dryly, handing Jaina a glass of juice.

Jaina sipped it, wondering vaguely what fruit it was from. Some Sekotan speciality, she thought. It tasted pretty good.

Jacen stumbled into the room, yawning and pulling a shirt on. "Oh – hi, Jaina. I take it you're responsible for this little terror."

Ben appeared behind Jacen and scowled up at him. "Not terror! Ben good boy!"

Jaina gave him a sceptical look and he shuffled back.

"Mostly," he amended.

A cough came from the door, and all four turned to see who it was. Ben's face brightened and he ran forward. "Tari!"

Tahiri grinned and lifted him up, then put him down quickly. "Whoa, Ben, getting big aren't you?"

Ben grinned at her. "Yeah! Three now!"

"Ah, of course. How could I forget? Won't be long until you're off to the Academy. Then getting your flying license, and off across the galaxy having all sorts of adventures, huh?"

Ben nodded earnestly. "Flying! Yeah!" He ran round the room, making whirring noises, imitating the sound of an engine.

Jaina looked round the room, smiling softly. Everything seemed normal – well, as normal as you got with the extended Solo-Skywalker family. Everyone was happy; Tahiri watched Ben with a grin on her face, showing no sign of the troubled young woman she used to be; Jacen had his arm around Danni, and both were smiling at Ben, sharing in the boy's exuberance.

But, Jaina realised, she didn't share the happiness. Though she was happy that they were happy, something was stopping her from feeling quite the same way. It was like part of her was missing. For an instant, she thought it was Jag. But really, she had felt like this for a while now.

In fact, she realised slowly, for three months – and it had gotten better yesterday afternoon. She groaned inwardly at herself. Why? Why did she have to feel like this now?

But she didn't feel half as frustrated at herself as she should have done.

Ben stopped running in circles, but he spun round slowly and then collapsed on the floor in giggles. "Dizzy!" He stood up shakily and wandered over to Jaina. "Jaya! Go now?"

Jaina looked at him for a second – he was happy here, knowing full well that whatever he did, the other three would laugh and smile at him. He wanted to stay and play some more, but instead, he was offering to leave with her. You're far too empathic, she thought, but admired him for it. It would undoubtedly be an asset when he was older, much like Jacen's intuitive empathy, but stronger.

"No, Ben, that's OK. You stay with Tari and Danni and Cousin Jasa, while Jaya goes for a – a walk, on her own for while." She tried to smile at him.

He nodded and reached reassuringly through the Force to her. She gasped and looked at him in surprise, then grinned and reached back. Thanks, Ben.

Say hi to Kee for me.

She nodded at him, still smiling, and then turned to Jacen. "Is it OK if I leave Ben with you guys for a while?"

Jacen frowned at her in concern, and then softened his expression. "Leave the little terror with us? Ah, sure, why not?"

"Thanks, little brother." She nodded at Danni and Tahiri, and then left. Ben's starfighter impression and subsequent giggle fit followed her into the tampasi until she was surrounded by the not-quite-silence of Sekotan tampasi life. She walked slowly and meanderingly along the path, trying to give herself enough time to sort through her feelings before she reached Kyp.

She realised that it was a futile effort.

Kyp looked up at the door, wondering for half a second why. Then he sensed Jaina nearing it, and he stood up quickly, walking over and opening it.

Jaina half-smiled at him, embracing him for a long moment. She pulled away and he moved aside so she could enter. He closed the door and turned round to see Jaina still standing there. "What's up?" he asked softly.

"I just wanted to talk to you."

Kyp lifted one eyebrow. "Talk?" he asked dryly.

She rolled her eyes and tried to smile. "Yes, talk. Uh, sorry, I left your cape back at the house. I didn't know I'd be coming over."

"That's OK. I'll stop by and get it later or something." He paused. "What do you mean, you didn't know?"

Jaina closed her eyes for a second, and then opened them again. "I was just out with Ben originally, but I decided I would come over."

"And where is your little terror of a cousin?"

Jaina smiled fully this time, and his heart made that funny little jump. Sith, he thought. Why does it do that? "I left him with Jacen and Danni."

"Glad to know you prefer them to suffer than me." He smiled wryly at her. "Sit- ah. I never did get another chair."

Jaina considered him for a moment before speaking. "Nothing wrong with last night's seating arrangement," she told him.

He laughed quietly and pulled her towards him, backing into the chair and falling into it. She landed on top of him, sharing his laughter, and shifted to make herself comfortable. They sat in silence for a second, and Kyp slowly moved his arms to hold Jaina close to him. She leaned back against him again, and he tilted his head so that hers was neatly tucked into his shoulder.

"So, Sticks. What did you want to talk about?"

"I-" He saw her frown. "I guess I don't know. I just needed to see you…"

Kyp made no comment, but smiled inwardly.

"I figured I would realise what I wanted to say when I arrived. But, uh, that failed."

"Maybe you didn't want to talk at all." Kyp hugged her tighter, and moved his head so that his mouth was right beside her ear. He was well aware of the effect his voice had on her when he spoke like that. Especially in a low voice, like he did now. "Maybe you just wanted me."

When she didn't say anything to disagree, Kyp pulled his head back in shock. "Jaina?"

She sighed and leaned even closer to him. "I don't know. Maybe."

Kyp stared at her incredulously, not sure he was hearing correctly, but not wanting to question it too much in case he wasn't. In the end, though, he had to. "I don't think I'm understanding you, Jaina…"

She took a deep breath and shifted slightly to face him better. "I've been thinking about everything you said last night, and about everything in my life… And I think I've worked out that… whatever Jag and I have, it's not the same as – as what you and I would have. What we had, for a while."

Kyp continued to stare at her, but his heart gave a funny leap again. What exactly was she saying? That she wanted- he didn't let himself finish, just in case he was wrong. "When you say everything I said last night-"

"I mean the stuff about us, about how we're not just friends. How we have something more and it could be so much more and… I think that's what I want."

Kyp tilted his head forward again and pulled her back slightly, so her head was once again on his shoulder. "Really?"

She nodded. "I think that – what you and I have is worth far more than anything Jag and I have… and if it can be even more, well, I don't think I can say no to that."

Kyp moved his mouth back to her ear. "I meant what I said last night. I wouldn't mind-"

Jaina shook her head. "No. I just – I just want you."

Kyp smiled slowly, revelling in those words. She wanted him. Jaina Solo wanted him. He kissed her neck lightly and hugged her tighter as she shivered. "You're not going to back out after a few weeks again, are you?"

She smiled ruefully and tried to nudge him, but he caught her arm. "No. I- I shouldn't have done that. I wish I hadn't. Everything was just so strange for me after the war."

He kissed her neck again, further forward. "And what about what you said last night?"

She sighed, although it had an under-current of pleasure mixed in with it. "I think, even when I was saying that, I didn't mean it. I mean, I did mean it a little at the time… But yesterday confused me. You confused me. I hadn't seen you in so long… I guess I forgot how you made me feel."

"And," Kyp said huskily into her ear, kissing her chin, "how exactly is that?"

She leaned back even closer to him, and turned her head to catch his lips in hers softly. "Good," she decided. "Very good."

He smirked and reached a hand up to pull her head closer to his again, resting his forehead against hers for a second, his lips just centimetres from hers. He paused, taking in her scent, and then spoke softly. "Like this?" he asked casually, pulling her head closer and letting her lips touch his. He left his hand running through her dark brown hair and pressed his lips harder to hers. He kissed her, hard, and when her mouth slipped open he deepened it, revelling in the taste.

She kissed him back just as hard, her right hand slipping round his back to pull him closer. Eventually, however, she had to break off for air. She pulled away slightly, opening her eyes and holding his dark gaze, stifling a shiver as she felt the electricity sparking between them. "Like that," she agreed, shivering again at his answering smirk.

He pulled her back into the kiss, one hand in her hair to draw her head even closer, one running up and down her spine. He felt her shiver again and increased his pressure on her mouth. She moaned softly and he pulled away, out of breath. He smirked at her again and opened his mouth to speak, but she leaned forward and caught his lips in a quick, soft kiss.

When she pulled away again, he held her gaze for a moment. "Yeah," he said softly, "I don't think there's a problem with this seating arrangement."

Jaina laughed lightly and moved to stand up, but Kyp tightened his grip on her. "What's the rush?"

She smiled ruefully at him. "I told Uncle Luke I'd bring Ben back in time for lunch. If he turns up with Jacen… Ah, well, you know how sharp Aunt Mara is."

Kyp didn't let go of her – instead, he stood up as well, shifting his arm so it was round her shoulders. "I'll come back with you. To get my cape," he added.

"Sure." She smiled at him. "Ben wanted to see you anyway."

Ben looked up from his drink. There, at the door… No, not yet. Now! He ran forward, almost dropping his glass – Jacen caught it quickly with the Force and put it back on the worktop.

"What's up, Ben?"

Ben grinned and reached up to open the door. Sure enough, just outside – "Jaya! Kee!"

Kyp smiled wryly at Ben. "You're quick. We're barely out of the tampasi."

Ben ran forward and hugged Jaina, who shrugged Kyp's arm off her shoulder and bent down to pick him up. "Was Jasa really that bad that you're so desperate to get away?"

"I'm hurt. I mean, look! I stuck it out when even Danni and Tahiri ran off," Jacen put in from the couch, indignant.

Ben looked round and stuck his tongue out at Jacen, who shook his head in disbelief. "This is terrible. Were we this insolent?"

"No," Kyp said dryly, "you two were far worse. Especially Jaina."

"Of course," Jaina matched his tone, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"No respect for your elders, huh?"

"Yeah, except you."

Kyp smirked. Do I have to remind you why you should respect me?

Save it for later.

I'll call you up on that promise.

Jaina rolled her eyes, and then noticed her brother staring at her and Kyp curiously. She gave him a half-smile and he returned it, curiosity still apparent in his expression. Later, Jasa, she told him.

He nodded and turned his eyes back to Ben. "Be good for Jaina again, little guy."

Jaina smiled. "He's always good for me."

"Then maybe you should come back to Sekot more often and take over babysitting duties. Those dreadful parents of his seem to find an inordinate number of excuses to leave him with us."

"You mean esteemed Jedi Master Skywalker and our wonderful Aunt Mara."

"Yeah." Jacen nodded fervently. "Those two."

"Well," Jaina said lightly, glancing sideways at Kyp, "maybe I can stop by more often."

Jacen saw the glance and understanding flooded him. Jaina?

I said later. But she smiled reassuringly at him, and he nodded reluctantly.

"I guess," Jaina said, turning her attention back to Ben, "we should get going. Or we'll miss your Daddy's wonderful lunch."

Kyp blanched and looked at Jaina warily. "I haven't been invited to this lunch, have I?"

"Good idea." Jaina laughed at the horror in his face. "Surely, after all you've done, a little bit of Luke Skywalker's cooking can't hurt any?"

Kyp mock glared at her. "Your father had better be cooking."

Jaina laughed again and waved a good-bye to her brother as the three of them left. Jacen watched her go, confusion clouding his mind. He didn't think he'd ever understand some of the things his sister did.

"Ah, you're back! I thought you guys were going to miss lunch." Luke looked over his son and niece, and the man that accompanied them. So Kyp was back. And, Luke noted, this time he didn't hurry to take his arm away from Jaina. Now that was interesting.

Jaina put Ben down, and he ran past his father to the kitchen, and lunch. "Hi, Uncle Luke. Uh-" She glanced sideways. "Is there enough for Kyp to join us?"

Luke regarded the younger man for a second. So something had changed between Jaina and Kyp. Again. Well, Mara wasn't going to like this, he thought wryly. "Sure. Your father's cooking again, and you know he always makes too much."

Luke almost laughed out loud at the relieved look on Kyp's face. "My cooking's not that bad!"

Kyp smirked at him. "Thankfully, I've never had to find out."

"Oh no. If I had to suffer, trust me, you will too," Jaina told him sternly.

"Are you sure you're a Goddess? Do the Yuuzhan Vong have devils?"

"Now, now, children. You'd best hurry and get in there, or Ben will have eaten everything."

Luke returned Jaina's smile and watched as she and Kyp traded more insults on their way to the kitchen. Yes. Something was definitely back between them. As he followed them, he couldn't help feeling a little sorry for them though – Mara was in the kitchen. Maybe it would be best if he waited a while before going in.

Ben hadn't eaten everything, but he'd certainly tried. Jaina saw what looked like the remains of two nerfburgers, a portion of beans and a big – empty – bowl of fries beside him. Plus the burger he was currently eating.

"I thought the kid was supposed to be three," Kyp commented.

"Yes, but he's got Farmboy for a father, doesn't he?" Mara's voice made Kyp jump and move guiltily away from Jaina.

Friends? She asked Jaina wryly.

Jaina didn't reply, but smiled ruefully at her aunt.

"Don't worry, kids, there's plenty more to go around," Han assured them. He was leaning back against the worktop, glancing occasionally at the nerfburgers he was grilling. "Well, not so much. You know how difficult it is to find good nerfburgers on this vaping planet? I'm not using up all the Falcon's stores for you."

"It's good to know we're valuable," Kyp said dryly.

Han's eyes flickered slightly as he looked from Jaina to Kyp. He opened his mouth to comment, but thought better of it.

Mara, however, didn't. "So," she started, "I was right yesterday – it's you two again."

Jaina winced and glanced at Kyp, who had an unreadable expression on his face. "Be direct, why don't you, Aunt Mara. No need to skim over the point."

"You know me better than that, Jaina." Mara shifted her gaze to Kyp, who held it determinedly, moving slightly closer to Jaina. Something behind him caught her eye, however.

Luke coughed as he entered the kitchen and leaned against the doorjamb. "Mara…"

"Leave out of it, Skywalker."

Luke simply looked amused. He really was finding this hilarious, thought Jaina. "So I have to stay out of this, but it is, of course, your business?"

Mara narrowed her eyes at him, then shrugged and turned back to her lunch.

Kyp glanced at the Jedi Master gratefully, and then looked at Jaina. "Maybe I should go," he suggested quietly.

Jaina started to shake her head, but thought about it for a second. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to spring this one everyone so soon. She smiled sadly. "Come on, I'll get your cape."

He nodded and she led him out the other side of the kitchen, and into the spare room she occupied. Kyp closed the door quietly behind him and turned to study Jaina. "Are you still sure?" he asked quietly.

"Of course," her answer came, but only after a slight pause.

"They're not taking it well," Kyp noted.

"Uncle Luke is. And Dad's a lot better than I thought…"

"Yes, I'm surprised he didn't have his blaster in his hand the moment I walked in with you." Kyp shook his head.

Jaina didn't say anything, but moved over to the dresser and picked up his cape, letting it fall open in her hands. She stepped back and stretched to pull it round Kyp. When she had tied it at his neck, she let her hands linger there for a moment until he took them in his own and put them down at her side.

She hesitated before moving her hands back up, around his neck this time to draw his head down to hers. He let her, and their lips touched. Kyp let it take over him and he slipped his arms round Jaina's back, pulling her up to him, their mouths closer together, the kiss harder and more passionate. She teased his lips with her tongue and he opened his mouth, tasting the inside of her mouth.

They stayed locked together for far too long, but eventually Jaina broke off for air. "Lunch," she said, her voice little more than a breath.

Kyp couldn't resist kissing her again for a brief second. "What?" he murmured.

Jaina laughed quietly. "We haven't been in here that long. Lunch. Time to go back and face the interrogation squad."

Kyp groaned softly. "Maybe I really should go home."

"Nuh uh. If you go, I have to face them alone." Jaina studied Kyp for a second. "You're not telling me that you, Master Rogue Jedi, are afraid of a few questions?"

"No." Kyp smirked. "I'm afraid of Mara Jade Skywalker."

Jaina nodded thoughtfully. "Tough."

Kyp sighed, but let himself be dragged out and along the corridor. So Jaina still wanted him. He guessed he'd have to cope with the Solo-Skywalkers too. Ah well.