MaraJadeSkywalkerJedi – thanks :D

Eowyn Skywalker – I know! QuickEdit working = a miracle. I had to stare at the computer for several long moments before it sank in :P Does it sound sadistic if I say that I'm glad I can wring some tears out of you?

-----

Alright, hopefully the little stars show up beside the lyrics. If they don't, I do not own either of them.

-----

Part Six (Epilogue): Mikela

(Twenty years later)

"Feeling wide open and waiting for
Something warm and tender
Now she's moving further from you
There was nothing that could make it easy on you
Every step you take reminds you that she's walking wrong"

The singer's voice was haunting and full of old emotions. Kyp avoided looking up; it was almost as if the woman had peered into his soul, and he didn't want to make eye contact and have it confirmed. Eventually, however, his eyes flicked up and found the owner of the low voice. A plain girl, completely unexceptional, stood at the mike, eyes half closed as she sang. One of her hands was raised a little, as if she was trying to touch a memory.

Not exactly the soul-searching type, he decided, embarrassed by his paranoia. He turned back to his drink and shut out the girl's voice. Solitary years passed as he sat, and the girl's voice was joined by that of a man.

Kyp looked up again, unable to help himself, and caught the girl's smile at her dark-haired companion, who looked suspiciously like a bounty hunter or assassin who had been dragged up by his girlfriend. Judging by the look in the man's eyes, however, he didn't mind a little "embarrassment".

"Every word you never said
Echoes down your empty hallway
And everything that was your world
Just came down"

Kyp cursed again. He shouldn't have come to a place with music. Artists had a talent for pointing things out that he didn't want to see – especially on the topic of lost love. Finally, the singing duo bowed and left the stage. Kyp was a little disgruntled when the couple sat down at the booth directly across from his, but at least they weren't singing. They had been replaced by a group of Bith, so there was no danger of lyrics.

He pointedly avoided looking at the couple, who were talking softly over frothy drinks, heads intimately close. A waitress – apparently someone they knew – stopped for a moment.

"Lera," the young woman said mischievously, eying her plain friend. "What, exactly, is that on your finger?"

Lera blushed – Kyp had the feeling she did that often and easily – and exchanged a look with her boyfriend. "It appears to be an engagement ring," she murmured, unable to hide her smile.

The waitress tapped the table lightly with her coffee pot. "Congratulations! Arelyk will be disappointed, but I might be able to pick up the pieces…" She winked. "Order what you will; even Grix wouldn't make you pay tonight."

The man spoke for the first time. "Well, then, I guess we'll just have to buy enough to stock up our food supply; the storage room has been looking rather bare lately…"

Lara swatted him. "Nichyn! You shouldn't take advantage of people."

He sent her a steaming look that appeared to efficiently melt her into goo. "Why not? It got me you, star-gazer." His grey eyes flashed up to the waitress. "This is your cue to leave, Mikela."

Mikela laughed. "Yeah, yeah, I'll go; just don't say anything too daring or she'll be red until her wedding."

Nichyn's eyes twinkled devilishly, but he didn't reply, and Mikela turned to Kyp. "Can I get you anything, sir?"

He began to refuse, but froze when he got a good look at her.

She was exactly Jaina's height and body type, even to the slightly lopsided length of her arms. Brown hair was pulled back, but strands of it framed her face in a casual way. But, most astonishingly of all, she had his eyes.

"I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?" he asked, his own eyes narrowing. Shock – and maybe betrayal – would come later, if the idea racing around in his mind was true.

The young woman shifted, scrutinized him, then her eyes smiled. "Mikela Durron…why?" She bit the corner of her mouth, just like Kyp did when he was on the verge of understanding something.

He blinked exactly twice before replying. "Because my name…" he hesitated, "is Kyp Durron."

Her lips curved into the Solo grin. "Aunt Sanar said I'd meet you tonight," was all his daughter said before sitting down.

In the corner, a transparent woman watched with a bittersweet smile. The sight of her husband and daughter's first glimpse of each other made her consider stepping forward, letting her husband see her, but she pulled back at the last second.

She had watched and loved for many years now; it was Mikela's turn to meet Kyp.

Jaina could wait a few more years.

With a flicker, she was gone.


Never thought I'd say I'm sorry
Never thought I'd be the one to bring you down
Now when I look outside my window
But there doesn't seem to be anyone around
And I, I think I'll change my ways
So all your words get noticed
Tomorrow's a brand new day
Tomorrow's a new day

------------

"The Difference" by matchbox twenty

"Brand New Day" – by Forty Foot Echo

------------

-Tjz