Chapter 5

Kyp awoke to the sound of the comm beeping. He groaned and opened his eyes. And smiled. Jaina's head was lying on his shoulder with her arm across his chest, her hand over his heart. Her long hair was covering his arm that was wrapped around her. Kyp winced as he moved that arm which had gone to sleep. He was trying not to wake her as he dislodged her but she sighed as she began to awaken.

The comm beeped again and despite his best efforts Jaina stirred. She moved which enabled him to fully untangle his arm from her body and her hair. She moaned in protest, "Who could that be? It's too early."

Kyp chuckled and as he threw a robe on he said, "What happened to the hot shot commander who demanded that her pilots be able to go from sound slumber to preflights in less than ten minutes?"

She rolled her eyes at him and yawned as another insistent beep demanded attention. Kyp looked at the chrono by the bed as he turned to walk across the room to the small desk against the opposite wall. "Kriff, it's 0730 already. Bet it's your uncle. I was supposed to meet with him at 0700." He looked back at her on his bed—in clear view of the holocomm. He made sure to position himself directly before it. Before he answered the call he said to Jaina, "Not a sound and don't move." Then as he pushed the receive button he sent through the Force to her, I really don't think we want your uncle seeing you in my bed dressed only in my sheets.

After the flickering blue tinged image appeared, Kyp greeted his former Master, his tone and expression both impassive, "Master Skywalker."

The six inch image of the Grand Master's head and upper tarsal presented a demanding presence. The tiny piercing blue eyes looked at Kyp and said, his tone somewhat disapproving, "We were supposed to be having a meeting to go over the information from your mission, Kyp. Don't tell me that I got you out of bed."

Kyp swallowed. How am I going to explain this? "I'm sorry, Master Skywalker, but I didn't leave the office till late and then I had something come up." Just then Jaina gave a quickly stifled giggle. If Luke heard her he made no issue of it.

Jaina sent a nudge through the Force that sent a shiver though him. He had to concentrate to keep his voice and expression impassive. He sent back to her, Jaina, stop it. This is important.

"Well, as long as you have the data the Chief-of-State wanted you to uncover. Chief Omas requested you for this mission specifically, Kyp." Kyp couldn't help but hear the disappointment in his Master's voice. "With what Talon Karrde has provided, Intelligence is anxious see what you discovered."

Kyp stood up straighter and his voice took on a hard edge with a touch of the old defiance he used with Master Skywalker, "Do not worry, Master Skywalker. I will not disappoint you." He added silently to himself, I have a real reason not to now and I won't disappoint her. He said aloud, "I'll be there within the hour and yes, I have the information Omas wants. In fact, I think I have enough for Intel to crack this case." He couldn't keep the pride out of his voice.

Luke seemed satisfied with this and nodded, "Okay, I'll be waiting for you. I really hope that you do, Kyp. It is important to get to the bottom of this new wave of pirate activity on the Outer Rim. See you in an hour." Then the image flickered out.

Kyp turned to face the vision on his bed, the old feelings of inadequacy draining away. Jaina tried to stifle another giggle but failed miserably. He said sardonically, "You think you are so funny."

"I'm sorry, Kyp, but I couldn't resist." She laughed harder and Kyp thought it was the most beautiful sound. He walked over to the bed and leaned over to kiss her. She encircled his neck with her arms and entwined her finger in his hair. When she broke the kiss she smiled and quipped as she felt his desire flare, "You better watch yourself or something else may come up and you'll miss your meeting with the Chief-of-State as well."

He couldn't help it, he laughed. "Yeah, and your uncle would love to hear that explanation. I'm sure he would be quite entertained."

She looked at him in mock horror, "Well, I don't think I want to entertain Uncle Luke in such a way."

Kyp hated it but he needed to go. He leaned over her, breathing in her scent and kissed her again. He reluctantly pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers whispering, "Wait for me."

She opened her eyes to meet his and simply answered, "Always."

X

He went into the 'fresher and quickly showered. He came out to get dressed, he had a towel wrapped around his hips and was using another to dry his hair. He stated as he shook out his long wavy curls, "I really need a haircut. I don't know why I always let it get so long."

Jaina had commandeered one of his white long sleeve button shirts to wear. It was way too big for her small frame, but smelled of his scent and she had shuddered when she put it on thinking about it being his. As she heard his voice she turned from where she was making the bed, and stopped her eyes traveling the length of his body. "Oh, Kyp, you really do have one hell of a body." Before he could answer her complement she went on to say, "And I like your hair long. It gives you a roguish air that has always scared me and yet attracted me to you." She walked over to him and saddled into his embrace. She reached up and tangled her fingers into the damp dark curls.

He raised an eyebrow and gave her a crocked grin. "Well, I wouldn't want to give up my rogue persona—especially now that I hobnob with the Chief-of-State." He bent down and kissed her; she deepened the kiss holding him to her lips.

She let him step away from her. She knew she couldn't push him too far. She understood that he needed to leave her to attend his meeting. But she still gave him a playful pout as he removed Jedi robes from the closet and underwear from the dresser.

He shook his head and chuckled as he looked her over, "I really do need to get out of here. Because you look damn sight better in that shirt than I ever did. Goddess, you are way too tempting." Then he winked at her and turned away and sat on the edge of the bed.

She smiled at him and headed to the 'fresher but stopped at the door to watch him as he quickly dressed; a shudder moved through her. Life with him was definitely going to be any thing but boring.