The preparations for their journey took most of that day, giving something for both Kyp and Jaina to focus on besides the fact that they were going on an extended trip together. Kyp could not escape the feeling that something was brewing, that this mission would change something, perhaps everything. He could feel that something was happening, something was bound to change. He didn't know what or how, but he could feel it coming. He suspected Jaina could sense it too. As they finished loading their gear onto their transport, a fairly new SoroSuub freighter named the Sunset Alpha, Kyp was coming down the landing ramp and could see Han Solo approaching the ship, followed by his son, Jacen. "Hey, kid," Han greeted him in his casual manner.

"Hi, Han, Jacen." Kyp returned, then turned towards Han and added, "are you ever going to stop calling me kid or should I give up even trying to ask?" as an afterthought.

"Maybe I will some day, but you can keep asking if you want." Kyp and Jacen both gave a chuckle. Some things never did change.

"I'll remember that," Kyp answered. "Jaina will be out in a moment." Han nodded just as Jaina herself appeared at the other end of the Alpha's landing ramp. Jaina smiled and approached her father and brother.

"Dad," she greeted Han and gave him a hug, which he eagerly returned.

"Hey, sweetheart. Ready to go?" Jaina nodded as the hug ended, and turned towards her twin brother.

"Just about. How are you, Jacen?"

"Fine. Just come to see you off on your next big adventure, Jaya." Jaina cocked her eyebrow at her twin, seeing the gleam in his eye. She could feel his mirth through their twin bond. Apparently, Jacen thought the whole situation was quite humorous. Jaina did not share his estimation.

"Thank you so much for the send off, Jacen," Jaina countered dryly.

"Happy to help, any time," Jacen assured her. I'm sure Jaina sent through their twin bond, and Jacen's face erupted into a wide grin. "So Kyp, have you figured out how you're going to handle this yet?" Jacen asked. While his statement was directed at Kyp, his eyes remained on his sister. Jaina tried not to wince at her twin's not so subtle hint. She hated it when Jacen goaded her this way. Luckily neither Han or Kyp caught the hint.

"I'm sure they can handle a border dispute, Jacen," Han said. "Luke wouldn't have sent them otherwise."

"Of course not, Dad, I was just wondering if Kyp had any particular tactics in mind," Jacen explained, the grin never leaving his face. Kyp kept his features even, but Jaina could feel something brewing just beneath the surface. She stretched out and connected with the Force bond she shared with Kyp and felt a tinge of … embarrassment? What in the galaxy would Kyp have to be embarrassed about? Jaina tried to ignore it. It didn't make any sense. Certainly there couldn't be anything for Kyp to be embarrassed about. Finally, Kyp had retained his usually cocky demeanor back and answered Jacen.

"I have some ideas. We'll be fine." Jaina nodded her agreement.

"We'll handle it fine, Jasa," she added.

"I'm sure you will," Han added, his usual cock Solo grin across his face. Soon he turned to Kyp, his look more serious. "You know I expect you to take good care of my daughter, Kyp."

"Dad!" Jaina protested, her cheeks flaming. "I can take care of myself!"

"I know you can, sweetheart, but you need someone to watch your back if things get too hairy, and let's face it, you're a Solo, so they probably will. I'm asking Kyp to do that. Besides, I'm your father, I reserve to right to be overprotective when it comes to my kids." Jacen grinned behind his father's back, doing nothing to hide his amusement. Jaina glared blaster bolts at him. She could only pray Kyp didn't notice or would chose to ignore her brother's behavior. She didn't want to answer any odd questions.

"We'll be fine, Dad," Jaina assured him.

"Of course I'll look after Jaina, Han," Kyp added, ignoring Jaina's pointed glare.

"Because you know what to expect if you don't," Han stated, and Kyp hazarded a guess.

"Lots and lots of blaster fire," he surmised.

"Exactly."

"Han, you do realize I have a lightsaber that can deflect that, right?"

"Sure I do kid, but from how many angles?" Kyp nodded as Jacen laughed.

"Point taken." Kyp answered. Jaina glared at her father.

"Dad…" she began. Han cut off her protest.

"I love you, sweetheart. I should be here when you get back," he told her. Jaina sighed.

"Okay, Dad, but we are going to have a talk about this overprotective thing," she added. Han gave her a kiss on the cheek. He turned and shook Kyp's hand.

"Just remember what I said, kid."

"We'll be careful, Han."

"I'm sure you will." With that Han walked down the ramp and towards the exit for the hanger bay, leaving Kyp and Jaina alone with Jacen. After a few moments of silence, Jacen finally spoke.

"Should be an interesting trip," Jacen said nonchalantly.

"That remains to be seen," Kyp answered. Kyp turned to Jaina. "We only have a few minutes until we leave. I'm going to make sure we have everything. I'll meet you in the cockpit in five," he told her. She nodded as he began up the ramp and disappeared into the Alpha. Jaina turned her attention to Jacen.

"What in the seven Correllian hells do you think you're doing, little brother," she said poking her finger at Jacen's chest. Jacen only smiled.

"I'm only trying to be encouraging," he insisted. "You have a chance, Jaina. Don't blow it. You never know when the next one will come around, or if." Before Jaina could find a good retort, he bounded back down the ramp and out of the hanger bay. Jaina sighed and walked back up the ramp, making her way into the cockpit. She knew she was the first one there, so she took the pilot's chair and begin running through the preflight checklist. She was mostly through the list and had the navicomputer calculating their course to Ansion when Kyp entered the cockpit. She had tried to keep her mind off her brother's observation, but seeing Kyp there, knowing what could happen… she knew Jacen had been right. This trip could very well be her chance.

"She warmed up," Kyp asked as he took the chair besides Jaina, choosing to not argue about who was going to fly. For the time being, at least.

"Just about," Jaina told him. For a few moments they were silent as they finished the Alpha's preflight procedures. Finally, Jaina broke the silence. "Kyp, do you get the feeling that this trip…" she couldn't quite put her feelings into words.

"Yes," Kyp answered. "I do." With that, she nodded and slowly brought up the repulsors and guided the Alpha up and out of the hanger bay. Their journey had begun. At the other end of the hanger bay, there was an observation room overlooking all the ships as they came in and out of the bay. Neither Jaina or Kyp could see Luke Skywalker standing in that room, watching the Sunset Alpha take off. Just before the ship left the hanger, Luke was joined by his nephew, Jacen.

"You do realize what sending them together could mean," Jacen observed as they watched the ship depart. Luke turned to his nephew, feigning innocence.

"I have no idea what you mean, Jacen."

"Uncle Luke, you know what's happening between them as well as I do." Luke smiled at him, but his tone became serious.

"Perhaps I do, but whatever happens next is up to them," Luke observed.

"Ultimately, yes it is, but they've certainly been nudged in the right direction."

"That they have, Jacen. When they get back, we may want to consider hiding your father's weapons. Just to be safe."

"Couldn't hurt."

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