Chapter 14

She shook the vision from her mind and made her way back to the apartment. There she and her parents had a long heart felt and tearful discussion. To her honest surprise, she discovered her parents would love her no matter what. And Kyp: well, although, her father still wasn't sure about the relationship, she found her mother more understanding and accepting even if she still did not always agree with or approve of the Jedi Master.

Jaina did not sleep well that night. She eventually went into a meditative trance only to have more of the disturbing vision played out to her. She could not completely remember all of it but she was more certain than before that she needed to be on any mission with Kyp to Geonosis. She told nothing of the dream to her parents, she really wasn't sure herself what all of it meant; she only had feelings really, and she did not want them to worry.

Kyp, true to his word, called her before the Council meeting. She made her way to the Temple at the appointed time only to find that the meeting was going longer than expected. She thanked Ma'lil and headed to Kyp's office. It was almost lunchtime and she was sure it would not be much longer before it adjourned, at least for lunch.

She was nearly half way there when she heard her aunt's voice calling her from the direction of Luke's office. She took a deep breath. She knew that tone; it was the same tone Mara used when Jaina was her Apprentice and would do something Mara disagreed with. Jaina realized instantly after Kyp told her of Luke's intervention in the attack on him by Zekk, that Mara would learn of the relationship. Luke would have told her. And Jaina could tell from her tone of voice she was not pleased.

Jaina keyed in the code that would unlock Kyp's door. She had known it since returning. Then she turned to face the still stunning red haired woman who had once been commanded to assassinate Luke Skywalker.

"Jaina?" She called again as she approached.

"Yes, Aunt Mara, so, the Council meeting is over?" Jaina forced a smile. She really was in no mood to explain or justify her feelings for Kyp and she hoped he didn't stay behind to argue some point with the other Masters. She only wanted to see him and to talk to him about the vision she had and to hear of the Council's decision concerning her for the mission. She was well aware not all of the Council trusted her since her blatant disregard for orders two years prior.

Mara looked at her niece and nodded towards the door, "Are you going in?"

Jaina simply nodded and stepped through the door. After Mara entered Jaina closed the door. She did not want anyone to hear the exchange she was sure would come. She had already received several disapproving looks as she entered the Temple. Ma'lil was a gossip and since he had known Zekk had entered Kyp's office and had surly learned of the lightsaber dual; she was certain half the Temple knew that something was going on between Kyp and she. Jaina just did not want to give them any more proof, not yet.

They looked around the office. Kyp's office was like all of the others expect for the new desk and visitor's chair that was placed in the center of it. And the scorch marks where the sabers hit the shelving and beige carpeted floor. Jaina viewed the scene with great remorse and sorrow. She would never have been able to forgive herself if Zekk had injured or worse killed Kyp. She would have forever blamed herself for the anger and hate that aided in Zekk touching the Darkness, especially, since he had always vowed ever to touch it again.

The silence was broken when Mara curtly said, "I guess Kyp's lucky Luke was close by to intervene the other day. Looks like Zekk gave him a run for his credits."

Jaina just stared in disbelief at her, "I don't think that was an appropriated thing to say considering what could have happened." She turned away from her aunt and quietly added, "If Zekk would have killed Kyp I would have never forgiven myself." She then turned and found Mara's emerald eyes then said with all conviction, "Actually, I would have taken my X-Wing and pointed it straight for the sun."

Mara stared at Jaina, her sardonic expression replaced with one of true concern and love, "I'm sorry, Jaina. You're right that was not a proper thing to say. But, then I don't think you are really in love with Kyp."

Jaina was instantly angry, "How could you possibly know what I feel?" She stepped closer and before Mara could respond she spat, "I have always loved Kyp. No, maybe I didn't admit it to myself or believed it was more than friendship, but it was always there. He has always been my best friend, my mentor. But, I did not leave Zekk on a whim, Aunt Mara. Nor, did Kyp talk me into it. I left Zekk because he asked me to marry him and I could not say yes, because my dreams and thoughts for the past six months have been of Kyp. I knew that Zekk loved me but I could not bring myself to truly love him. I am sorry he was hurt but in the long run he will thank me. Because I would have eventually found myself hating him and myself for ignoring what my heart was telling me."

"He will only hurt you Jaina. He has done it before and he will do it again. He may have changed with age but he still is irresponsible and unyielding." Mara looked hard at Jaina. "He will leave you when things start to go against the way he wishes them to or when things get difficult. How many times before has he walked out on you?"

Jaina glared at her, "And how many times have you walked out on me when I needed you most?" She made a slashing gesture with her hand to cut off any and all comment, "Come off it, Mara, you are still upset because I apprenticed myself to Kyp when I was technically still yours. But, where were you? I needed you and you were too worried about how soon you could get off Hapes."

"I was going after my son!" Mara's anger was as rampant as Jaina's.

"But I needed you!" Jaina was close to tears but she fought them off. She swallowed and took a deep breath letting some of the old hurt go. "Kyp was the only person who cared enough to see what was happening to me after Myrkr." She turned away and went on to more quietly say, "He understood me when no one else did. He was the only one who was brave enough to stand up to me. You and Uncle Luke were worried about Ben. Mom and Dad just lost both of their sons and were grieving themselves. Zekk was truly frightened of me and ran. Tenel Ka had to deal with a sick and dieing mother, losing Jacen and a vindictive grandmother who was trying to lure me onto the throne." Jaina turned back to Mara the silent tears falling as she remembered one of the darkest times of her life. "I wonder if Ta'a Chume knew that if I had taken the crown of Hapes I could have became as much a monster as my grandfather had been."

Mara let her own anger go and said quietly, "I did not realize how close to the Dark Side you were."

"No, you didn't. But Kyp saw it and Lowie saw it, but only Kyp stood up to me and showed me what I was becoming. It was his love and friendship for me that helped me back. Not just then but when I returned from the Unknown Regions and felt like no one could love me for what I had done."

Mara said stiffly, "But you closed your self off to all of us. You wouldn't let us in. Only Zekk and Kyp."

Jaina relented some, "That's true, but it was Kyp who showed me the way back to myself and to my family. He was always here for me when I needed him the most."

Mara let out a breath and let the rest of the anger flow away from her. She stepped forward and Jaina let Mara embrace her. Mara than held her away far enough to say as she locked gazes with the shorter Jaina, "Jaina, I just don't want to see you hurt. That's all. I love you."

Jaina smiled and replied, "I love you, too, Aunt Mara. But the only thing that can hurt me is your not accepting that Kyp and I love each other." Jaina paused then added, "Right now no one other than the family and Zekk knows Kyp and I are more than just friends but as soon as the time is right we plan to marry."

"Jaina, that's rather sudden, isn't it?"

"Maybe, but we have already wasted so much time. We both just want to get on with our lives and eventually have a family of our own."

Mara was silent for a long time then she said, "I only hope you are not making a mistake. Luke thinks you and Kyp are good for each other, but I disagree with him. However, I can see there is no convincing you otherwise." Then she smiled and added, "But if he ever hurts you— "

Just then the door slid open and Kyp stepped forward saying, "You'll have to stand behind Han Solo and wait your turn. Then you can have whatever is left."

The women turned to him and Jaina smiled as she moved away from her aunt. She went into Kyp's arms and she leaned up to kiss him but before their lips touched she sent through the Force, I missed you.

Kyp smiled after breaking the gentle kiss and gazed into her eyes with love and devotion. He then turned to face Mara but kept his arm around Jaina's waist.

Mara turned away from them when Jaina went into Kyp's arms to allow them some privacy and because she really did not want to witness the scene. She turned back when Kyp went on to say his tone serious, "Mara, I love Jaina. I know you don't like me and you probably never will. But I would never willing hurt Jaina. I will do everything in my power to protect her."

Mara stared hard at Kyp, "Even from yourself, Kyp?"

He nodded, he knew what she was driving at, "Yes, Mara, even from myself. But I'm not the same person I used to be. My love for her has changed me. She is my other half. She is my best friend and the love of my life. To lose her would kill me."

Mara could only nod and she then left them to go find Luke.

X

"Well, I'mnot sure what to make of that," Kyp said after the door closed and Mara was gone. He took Jaina into his arms and held her.

"Sometimes, I think Mara forgets she wasn't exactly everyone's first choice for Uncle Luke considering she wanted to kill him." Jaina leaned into him and sighed. She smiled as she gazed into his eyes. "I don't care what she says or thinks; although, I hope she eventually comes to terms with the idea of you as a nephew-in-law."

Kyp chuckled, "Oh, seeing her face the first time I call her 'Aunt Mara' will be priceless."

Jaina joined his chuckle, "You do like to live dangerously, don't you?"

"Of course, I'm not sure which will be worse: her reaction to me calling her 'Aunt" or having her as one."

They laughed for a moment and they then just held onto each other for a while with Jaina resting her head on Kyp's chest. Finally, Kyp whispered into her ear, "I missed you last night too."

She raised her head and he captured her lips in a kiss that left her breathless. She clung to him not wanting to let him go but eventually she pulled away far enough to ask, "How did to Council meeting go?"

Kyp shook his head and stepped away from her, she could feel the drastic change in his mood like snow on desert sand. "Considering it isn't over, it still managed to prove to me yet again that Corran Horn has to be a vapin' idiot."

Even though she could tell Kyp was frustrated and becoming angry she still couldn't help the eye roll she gave him and asked sardonically, "Oh, now what did Corran do?"

"He thinks we should wait and see what the Moorex are up to." Kyp moved further away and ran his had through his tussled curly hair. "He doesn't think we should do anything until they actually make a move." He turned his back to her and then added his anger coming through, "And what's worse he is starting to convince some of the other Members."

"And let me guess, you are arguing that we should strike now before they have any more time to become stronger."

"Yes!" He turned and stared incredulously at her. He took the few steps back to stand before her. Jaina could feel his growing anger and frustration as if it was her own. "Jaina, the Moorex under the control of Marolosa could become very powerful. I've dealt with him before. He is rich, ruthless and power hungry. And now I hear he is insanely intent on becoming more powerful than Prince Xizor of the Black Sun ever was. He always was cunning but now that half of his brain is a computer he is even more so. He has gobbled up and gained control of most of the smaller pirate and smuggling operations on the Outer to Mid Rims. Not to mention the foot holds in the governments of Tatooine, Nal Hutta, Ryloth, Rodia, and surprisingly even Naboo just to mention a few." He locked gazes with Jaina and she felt a chill at the storm in his green eyes. "We can't afford to wait and see what he is up to. He doesn't have an army yet but if we let Geonosis alone long enough he will. It could be the Clone Wars all over again."

Jaina stared at him she knew he was right. "We can't afford another war, Kyp. We're still picking up the pieces from the last two."

"I know," he said more quietly and moved to lean his back against the edge of his desk. "But some of the Council doesn't think the Jedi should be the ones making the first moves. The memory of what happened to us when the Vong invaded and when the Jedi nearly split due to the Killiks issue is still a bitter memory. And ironically I do agree with that. I don't think the Jedi should move on our own but we need to persuade Omas that it is vital to move soon. Luke agrees and will get Intel involved."

"So, what do you propose then?" She sat down on the couch and leaned over her legs with her elbows resting on her knees.

X

Kyp was silent for a moment and ran his hand back through his hair. He knew Jaina wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

She must have sensed his hesitation, "Kyp? What aren't you telling me?"

He took a breath and said, "I proposed that with the help of Military Intel, a team of two Jedi go into the factory at Geonosis and somehow sabotage the plant."

Jaina sat up and simply said, "Of course, that insertion team will be you and me."

He looked over at her and slowly shook his head, "No, Jaina, Kyle and I will make up the insertion team. You will make up the back up team that will wait with the transport and the Intel agents."

Kyp watched as the blood drained from Jaina's face. She jumped to her feet and practically screamed, "No!" She was close to tears as she moved to stand before him. He stood and held onto her upper arms, "No, no, Kyp, I need to be with you. You don't understand. I need to be with you!"

"Jaina, what is wrong?" Kyp was genuinely concerned he had not seen Jaina so distraught since she returned from the Unknown Regions.

She sobbed and leaned onto his chest, "I had a vision, Kyp. I saw you," she looked up at him and sniffled, "I saw you hurt and I saw a hideous face of half human and half droid laughing over you with a lightsaber in his hand." She shook her head and went on to say, "I only know that if I'm not with you, I'll lose you."

Kyp stared at her. He really wasn't expecting this. He had had very few visions in his life and mostly they were only after long meditations and were usually so cryptic that he never knew how to read them. He knew Jaina had never had many if any visions; at least, none that she had told him about. However, he took what she said very seriously. He knew about the visions her brothers had and he knew Luke and even Leia had visions from time to time. But the most disturbing aspect was that every member of the Skywalker clan had visions and often they had come to pass. The most disturbing was the story of the vision Anakin Skywalker had about his wife dying in childbirth and what came about from that. Kyp shuddered as a chill ran through him.

Kyp held onto her and stroked her hair as she buried her face into his chest. He quietly said into her hair, "Oh, Goddess, you won't lose me." But it didn't sound convincing even to his ears.

She turned her face back to his, her eyes like deep pools of brandy, "Please, Kyp, convince the Council to allow me to go with you as your partner for the insertion team. I don't know what any of it means but it's like the Force is screaming at me that I need to be there with you."

He pulled her back to him. He suddenly didn't ever want to let her go. He simply whispered, "Alright, Goddess, alright. I'll do everything I can to make sure you're the one with me."