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Chapter 8

Jysella flipped away from her attacker's glowing blue blade and returned with a parry with her silver. And then she grinned, she had surprised him. She continued in her advantage and attacked, hitting his blade low and near the hilt. She watched in total fascination as the lightsaber flew from his hand, its blade disappearing and the hilt hitting the mat several meters away.

She stepped back and smiled broadly at her sparring partner as he reached out and easily floated the saber back to his hand. "That was perfect."

He scowled at her and looked at his saber as if it had betrayed him somehow. Then he looked back at her, "I'm sure it was. But I guess it was about time the dice rolled in your favor. We've only been sparring every day for nearly a week." Then he flashed her a cocky grin an added, "You know what they say, Corellians do have the best luck. And today was just your lucky day."

She fumed, how could he be so infuriating, so arrogant? "I beat you fare and square, Skywalker. There wasn't any luck about it. That was pure skill. You just won't admit that I'm as good as you with a saber."

Ben just continued to grin as he went over to pick up a towel to wipe his face. She watched him as he shook out his long dark red hair. She found herself staring at him, his back was to her and she watched how the back and shoulder muscles moved under his sleeveless shirt. She shook herself mentally and turned away. What am I doing?

But she couldn't help the attraction she felt for Ben, but that's all it was. He had become quite a handsome young man. As if sensing her scrutiny, he turned and smiled, Jysella felt her cheeks become warm and quickly turned away.

Ben threw the towel back onto the bench and put his hands on his hips. When she finally brought her eyes back up to meet his, he couldn't hold her gaze. Was he embarrassed by her?She wondered which only caused her to blush further. He did catch her admiring him. However, he seemed to become more nervous as he asked, "Jys, I was wondering if—emm—if you would like to go out with me tonight?"

She stared at him; she wasn't expecting that. "Ben…" she turned away from his piercing blue eyes and began to fiddle with her own things that sat beside his on the bench.

"Jys, I know I'm younger than you but I'm not that much younger. I'll be eighteen in less than a month."

She looked back at him and smiled weakly. She knew this was coming. She sensed it from that first day they sparred almost a week ago. "Ben, it's not that. Not really. You're a great guy. You're cute, considerate and fun to be around. Any girl would consider herself lucky to have you. Really. But—"

"But you already are in love with someone else." He finished for her as he turned away from her.

She paused for a moment and then said softly, "Yes."

He turned to peer at her and she could see the hurt in his blue eyes. "Jacen," again it was not a question but a statement.

She nodded and then reached out to lay her hand on his arm, "Ben, I do like you. You have become a very dear friend and I value you a lot. I'm sorry that I can't feel more for you." She smiled at him then said hopefully, "But if your offer still stands, we could go out as friends."

He swallowed and after a moment he too smiled, but it was sad, "Okay. I'll pick you up around 1800?"

"That would be perfect."

X

Ben entered the apartment that he shared with Jacen and headed toward his bedroom when his cousin came out of his own room.

"Ben," Jacen said somewhat irritated, "I've been looking for you."

Ben stiffened and glared at the older man and said wryly, "So, your back from visiting your friend?"

"Yeah, I hope everything's been good here." Jacen looked at Ben's attire and asked again, "Where've you been?"

"Working out with Jysella." Ben relished the burst of surprise that he felt come from Jacen before he covered it. "You know, she is quite talented with a saber. It makes for an interesting match because she has learned to compensate her lack of TK with pure skill."

Jacen stepped away from him and headed toward the small kitchen, where he began to rummage through the cooler. "So, have you been spending a lot of time with her?" Jacen inquired as he pulled a soft drink out of the unit.

Ben couldn't help his response. He smugly replied, "Everyday since your sudden needy friend pulled you away. And tonight we're going on a date. Why do you ask, Jace?"

Ben felt triumphant as he watched Jacen's reaction. His cousin suddenly turned away from him and took a long draw on the no-ale. Finally, he mumbled and headed toward the door, "No reason."

The smug smile left his face and he was suddenly filled with a lonely ache. He knew his implied meaning would not hold for long. He wouldn't be at all surprised if Jacen didn't go to Jysella this moment to ask about Ben. An action that would not only make him look like a fool but also like a spiteful child.

He knew when he had asked her about going out with him that he was letting her know that he was interested in her. However, when he sensed her watching him, looking at him as if she liked what she saw, Ben let his own guard down. He had to find out if she felt anything for him. He instead was humiliated by her admission, because he knew before he even asked that she had feelings for his cousin and should have never expected more than friendship. Ben turned toward his small bedroom and hit the door frame with his fist. Why can she love me?

He then looked back at the outer door where Jacen had exited only moments before. Again, he wondered if he should tell Jysella about Tenel Ka and her daughter. But he shook his head. He remembered that the first time Jacen and he met the queen and the baby it was close to his own lifeday; so it was a safe bet that the princess's lifeday had just happened or was about to. That was probably where he'd been the past five days. However, he had no proof that he was still involved with Tenel Ka. Allana was Jacen's daughter so it was only natural and right that he'd want to see her.

As Ben entered his bedroom to go into the 'fresher that he shared with Jacen to get a shower, he couldn't help feeling Jacen was into something way over his head. Ben only hoped Jysella didn't get hurt in the end, but then again if she was he'd be there to pick up the pieces.

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