Kyp knew Jaina would not seek him out immediately, and that suited him fine. He had a lot to work through in his own mind, and he was not about to let Jaina in on the fact he had been eavesdropping on her and Jacen. No, that would simply not do. He had tried to sleep that night, but he could tell even before his head hit the pillow that sleep would not find him so easily. He had not meant to fall in love with Jaina Solo. Sure, she was beautiful, smart, and courageous. Jaina was all those things and so much more. She was also too young, and she had been his apprentice for a short time. She was Han Solo's daughter. The one man he owed practically everything to, and he repays him by falling for his only daughter. It had begun with some (mostly) innocent flirting, but Hapes and Borleias had changed everything. He had tried to deny his feelings at first, for his own sake if not Jaina's, but he had long accepted the fact that he was indeed in love with her.

After Serndipal, Kyp had never expected Jaina to forgive him for the worldship incident. He had hated using Jaina that way, but he had felt it had to be done. When he seen the look on Jaina's face as she slapped him, the anger in her eyes, the pain, all directed at him, he had figured that it would be a cold day on Tatooine before Jaina so much as spoke to him again. He had done what he thought was right and it nearly cost him Jaina's friendship and trust. He had went to Hapes with the intention of helping her fight free of the grip the Dark Side had on her heart after the terrible events of Myrkr. She had resisted him at first, but he had believed it was the least he owed the Solos, to ensure Jaina was safely back to the Light Side, and he was determined to get her there. He was familiar with that particular battle and was sure he could help her back.

He had succeeded in his task, only to find himself on Borleias and as a part of Jaina's Twin Suns Squadron. He didn't come to realize until later why he had accepted Jaina's command, but after he did, he soon realized that he had this need to see Jaina happy. He had once tried to tell himself that this intense need for her happiness was an extension of the debt he owed to Han, but as he continued to watch her fall for one Jagged Fel, it had become all too clear that he needed to see Jaina happy because she was Jaina. He had accepted his spot in Twin Suns in order to be nearer to her. To make her happy.

He had watched her relationship with Jag develop, and he had believed they were happy together. He tried to be happy for her and Jag, because that is what a friend would do. He had secretly been jealous of Jag at times, being so close to her, but he had kept those particular emotions close to his heart and accepted his role as Jaina's friend and intended to keep it that way. As much as it hurt him at times, he believed it was for the best. Keep Jaina as a friend, and she would be happy with Jag. He was able to remain her friend and partner (whatever that did mean) and Kyp would not go back on his word. Jaina was far too important to him to risk their friendship. Well, that and he was not about to face Han if he ever made a romantic move on Jaina. He was in no mood to face blaster fire just yet.

He had never expected Jaina to return his feelings, much less prepared for what would happen if she ever did. He had so many reasons to keep his distance, good reasons, but he could not deny his heart, no matter how hard he tried. When he heard Jaina say that Jag had left, he felt like he was halfway up into the atmosphere. Then to hear Jaina admit that Jag had been right, she had loved Kyp… he was still elated. But he was also terrified beyond belief. What could that mean, what would happen now. He didn't have a clue what to do. He couldn't approach Jaina, nor did he know what to do if (when) she approached him. He knew he loved Jaina, he had for some time, but what to do with that. Now there was the problem. Kyp lay awake, asking himself what he should do. He never did come up with a good answer.

He was still thinking about Jaina when the comm unit chimed the next morning. He sighed as he rose to answer it, to find himself greeted by Luke Skywalker. The older Jedi Master smiled in greeting. "Good morning, Kyp."

"Good morning, Master Skywalker," Kyp returned.

"Sorry to disturb you, but I'm calling an emergency Council meeting," Kyp perked as he listened to Luke's announcement, "and I need you to be there."

"Of course," Kyp assured him.

"We meet in two hours." Kyp held back a grimace. There would be no time to get any real sleep before he had to report to the Council, but he knew sleep would wait. He gave Luke a nod.

"I'll be there." With that Luke signed off. Kyp gave a heavy sight as he sat back on his bed. Well, at least he would have something to keep his mind off of Jaina Solo.

Kyp arrived to the Jedi Council's chambers promptly a little less than two hours later, taking his customary seat between Cilghal and Saba Sebaytyne. He appeared to be the last of the council members to arrive, and he expected Luke to begin the meeting, but Luke sat silently, apparently waiting for someone else to arrive. Kyp took his cue and sat back and waited for whomever it was to arrive so the meeting could being. A few moments later, the doors swung upon and Kyp nearly fell out of his chair when Jaina Solo breezed into the room. He recovered quickly enough from his shock to return his attention to Luke, hoping no one had noticed his surprise.

"Welcome Jaina, thank you for coming," Luke said, standing up to indicate the meeting had begun. Luke brought up the holoprojector, the image showing the Outer Rim territories. "We have received a call from a planet called Ansion," a planet on the display turned a shade of white to indicate the location, a small system on the inner edge of the Rim. Those present drew their attention back to him as Luke continued.

"For years, Ansion has had long standing border dispute between the Ansioni government and the old ruling clans," Luke began to explain. "They've disputed a territory on their northern continent for the last few generations. The Jedi intervened and seemingly settled the dispute nearly sixty years ago. Then came the chaos of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire. The Emperor's governors kept the dispute in line, and once the Empire fell a new Prime Minister was elected under the New Republic. The Prime Minister, Tyr Pavelo, made it her particular job to keep the peace with the old clans and the settlement remained intact. Pavelo's successors carried on the peace." The council nodded their understanding as Luke continued. "Earlier this year, Breygon Ruvik was elected the new Prime Minister. Two months ago, a clan leader by the name of Juhvir Fren was killed, and Ruvik was implicated in the assassination by the other clans. There is no real proof that Ruvik or any one else in the Ansioni government was behind the attack on Fren, but the clans believe the government has turned against them. Both side are pursuing the other aggressively, and we have been asked to intervene and keep the peace."

"We are sending Jedi to Ansion, then" Cilghal surmised from beside Kyp. Luke nodded.

"Yes, both sides are attempting peace talks, and there is an ongoing investigation into Fren's murder, but we need to ensure that this does not erupt into a full scale war. There's also a rumor that a bounty hunter is out after the new clan leader, Alek Lordyn. It may be Hew Nye." The council began to murmur at the mention of Hew Nye. The man had a fearsome reputation, and he always meant business. He was also regarded as one of the best bounty hunters in the game. Whoever was sent to Ansion could be in for some major trouble if Nye was involved.

"So who is being sent to Ansion," Kyp asked finally. Luke smiled at him.

"I was actually hoping to send you, Master Durron," Luke said with a wry grin, then he turned his gaze to Jaina, "as well as you, Jaina," he added. Kyp was dumbstruck. He was expected to go on a mission. With Jaina. Alone. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but his mind was going about a hundred kilometers a minute. He didn't even notice that as Luke had spoken, Jaina had been trying to keep her eyes everywhere but on himself. She looked almost taken aback as he was, but he found his voice first.

"Of course, Master Skywalker," he answered mechanically. Luke turned his attention back to Jaina.

"General Darklighter has informed me that Twin Suns has been grounded for the time being for repairs and upgrades. He has given you leave to go, if you wish."

"I'll go," Jaina replied, her face calm, but there seemed to be apprehension bubbling just beneath the surface. She didn't know what this mission would mean either.

"You leave tomorrow," he announced. "May the Force be with you."

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