Kyp climbed out of his x-wing and backed down the maintenance ladder.
Zero-One whistled inquisitively.
"NO, that's ok." Kyp called back. "I don't think I'll be going anywhere tonight." He dropped the last meter onto his feet. "Unless of course, this little vacation turns out to be even more unbearable that I thought."
He turned and saw Jaina standing by her x-wing, her hair mashed against her head from her flight helmet.
He was disgusted to find that Jag looked as immaculately starched as ever.
"Of course," he mumbled darkly, "you can't wrinkle cardboard."
"Great One," he approached Jaina, "do you have any idea where we're supposed to go for temporary quarters?"
"None, whatsoever." Jaina replied. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure if we're allowed to park our fighters here." She threw her hands up. "Master Skywalker didn't exactly send me an outlined agenda."
Kyp rolled his eyes. Jaina had a tendency to become frantic when she hadn't slept much.
"Neg that Goddess." He nodded toward the large bay entrance into the Temple's main area. "We've got company."
Jaina turned, half-expecting to see white armor marching toward her.
Instead, it was Luke, Mara, and three children, followed closely by Tahiri.
Jaina grinned and ran to hug Mara.
"Well," Jag remarked in monotone, watching the exchange, "I believe congratulations are in order."
"Oh, really?" Kyp managed to keep a straight face." Don't tell me she DIDN'T turn you down this time?!"
Jag narrowed his eyes. "You know very well what it is I speak of."
Kyp grinned, but said nothing more. He walked over to Mara and Jaina.
"Master Skywalker," he bowed smoothly, knowing the title would annoy Mara, "you look absolutely beautiful as usual."
Mara smiled. "Kyp," she sighed, "ever the flatterer. I'm surprised; you actually seem like you mean it this time."
"He wants something." Jaina broke in.
Kyp effected a wounded expression.
Loud screeching nearby caused the three to turn their heads.
Ben was arguing with the older blonde girl beside him, who had something he obviously wanted.
Luke was attempting to calm them, but from Kyp's perspective, it appeared that he was about to join the screaming.
"Excuse me just a moment." Mara said smoothly, smiling in amusement as she stepped toward the group.
"I had not realized the Skywalkers had other children." Jag spoke from Jaina's shoulder, causing her jump slightly.
"Actually," she shifted until she could see him out of the corner of her eye, "the other two are my brother's kids."
Jag's eyebrows shot up. "I didn't know your brother was married."
Jaina smirked. "He's not." She replied simply, offering no further explanation.
'Oh." The vague expression of disapproval on the colonel's face told Kyp that Jag had taken her bait.
Great job, Goddess. You've got Colonel What's-his-pants thinking you have a loose zipper for a brother.
Kyp! Jaina's outraged astonishment made him rethink the wisdom in his statement.
He mentally ducked. What? Don't tell me you didn't know what he was thinking.
Actually, he caught her mental smirk, I did. But you aren't supposed to know that.
Poor Jacen. Kyp sighed.
Yep. Jaina grinned. He's going to have to work himself back into Jag's good graces.
You're an evil sister. Kyp reproached.
I know. Jaina grinned wickedly.
Speak of the devil… Kyp mused.
Jaina whirled and ran to her brother.
"Hey, Jase!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.
Jacen smiled. "Hey, Jaina." He kissed her cheek.
"Surprised?" Jaina grinned.
Jacen smiled back. "Yeah. Good surprise though." He shuddered. "Not like finding out my bill last month was over three times what it should've been."
Jaina stared at him incredulously, dying to hear the story. "What happened?"
Jacen grimaced. "Sieren was leaving the heating unit in the refresher on all night long. I always wondered why it was so hot in there in the mornings."
Jaina laughed. "My little brother is a terribly inobservant daddy."
Jacen rolled his eyes. "Please. Not you, too."
"Who else?" Kyp walked up and joined the conversation.
"Tahiri." Jacen supplied with a hidden grin.
"Tahiri?" Kyp was surprised. "She's lecturing you on how to be a better father?!"
Jacen grinned. "Ironic, isn't it?"
Kyp muttered something about "should've expected something like that".
Tahiri finally extracted herself from the scene that was still ensuing off to the side. "What about me?" she bounced Keil on her hip.
Jacen just grinned. "Just you and the kids and what a wonderful mommy you make."
Tahiri narrowed her eyes. "Hah. Don't any of you be getting any ideas." She saw Jag off to the side, alone. "Colonel Fel." She nodded cheerfully.
"Jedi Veila." Jag acknowledged her.
"So," Jacen turned back to his sister, "what brings you home for a visit?"
Jaina shrugged. "I wish I knew." She gestured at her aunt and uncle. "Uncle Luke is worrying me with his new abundant sense of humor in keeping my in the dark."
Jacen smiled knowingly. "He's a little preoccupied these days, what with Aunt Mara's condition."
Jaina shook her head. "And he's still got two and a half months to go."
"Yeah, well, maybe I'll take a vacation during that last month." Jacen muttered.
"Oh, come on, Jase." Jaina laughed. "He can't be all that bad."
Both Jacen and Tahiri just stared at her.
"Ok, maybe he can." Jaina amended.
Luke approached them, completely unaware that he was the subject of conversation. "Jaina," he smiled, "welcome home." He hugged his niece.
"Thanks, Uncle Luke." She smiled. "Though it was no small matter getting here." She eyed him curiously. "Are you going to tell me the big secret, or am I going to have to guess?"
"Actually," Luke shook his head, "neither. I can't explain it now, but you're just going to have to wait." He was sober for a moment, then brightened. "In the meantime," he turned to Mara, "how about we go eat?"
Jaina glanced at her brother with one brow raised.
Jacen shrugged. See?
Jaina nodded before looking back at her wingmates. "How 'bout it, guys? You hungry?"
Jag nodded stoically.
"I thought you'd never ask." Kyp exclaimed in mock relief.