Disclaimer: Doesn't belong to me, as much as I'd like to keep Kyp. :-)
Epilogue
The walk back from the shuttle pad was a quiet, reflective one for Kyp. People were slowly departing Zonama Sekot, and the planet was preparing itself for the increasing influx of Yuuzhan Vong survivors who would make it their home.
To aid in the transition, some of their number were remaining behind, like the scientist Danni Quee, and Tahiri Veila, whose experiences at the hands of the Shapers had given her an unwanted, but valuable insight into the alien culture. Most were moving on, however. The Antilles had departed the day prior at the same time as the Fels, and most recently, the Horns had shuttled up to join Mirax's father aboard the Errant Venture while they re-pieced together their lives.
Kyp was at a bit of a loss.
Soon, Luke, Mara, and Ben would join Kam and Tionne Solusar in the quest to establish a new Jedi academy; Han and Leia Solo would help begin the reconstruction process on Coruscant; Kyp would…
He had no idea.
Corran's words had been reverberating around his head since the wedding. Tell yourself what you will, Kyp, but she's not letting you go anywhere without a fight. But he couldn't stay on Zonama Sekot much longer, and nor would Jaina and Jag. They undoubtedly had their duties planned, maybe they were even going back to Csilla- the thought made Kyp much more nervous than he would have liked to admit.
When the war started more than four years ago, Kyp had his own independent, volunteer squadron that fought to keep trade routes safe and honest primarily. That squadron was gone, the pilots dead in the fight against the alien invaders.
Help would be needed on thousands of planets around the galaxy, and he imagined that Luke would encourage the Jedi to volunteer their efforts towards the rebuilding efforts wherever and whenever they could. Many would go to their home planets.
Kyp had no home. His homeworld had been largely destroyed by the Empire… but only after he was shipped away at the age of eight to work in spice mines until he was a teenager and rescued by Han Solo and Chewbacca. Family dead- one at his own hand, no less- there was nothing left for him on Deyer.
His next home had been the training academy on Yavin IV. That was gone now too, the temples flattened, the planet terraformed in the image of the long lost Yuuzhan'tar. The Jedi would not go back.
His ponderings were interrupted. He tensed as he felt, more than heard, the soft footsteps approaching. "Jaina," he acknowledged when she was a couple of meters behind him. Wordlessly, she joined him and matched his pace, and they quietly continued their trek under the sun-bathed Sekotan trees. It wasn't until they neared his abode, a quarter-hour later, that she spoke.
"Kyp, we need to talk."
He shot her a wry look. "I thought only Jag had the honor of hearing that dreaded phrase from now on." She smacked his arm and he smiled lightly, but stopped walking and turned to her. "What is it?"
"Are you leaving?" she demanded. He stared- they were all leaving, except the select few who were working on integration. Something of his confusion must have shown on his face and in his thoughts, because Jaina flushed. "I mean- of course you're leaving. But I want to know if I'm going to wake up one morning and find that you're gone without a word."
"Am I running away, you mean?"
"Yes."
For a long moment, he regarded her thoughtfully. "You've run away- twice," he pointed out carefully. "It didn't work out so poorly for you either time."
"That's not an answer."
He sighed and spun quickly, frustrated. "What do you want from me?"
"I… I don't know." He turned back again in surprise at her soft, nervous tone. "I guess… just to know that you'll stay in touch."
"I'll stay in touch."
The response only served to frustrate her more. "Kyp, you really aren't going to do anything to make this easy on me, are you?"
They stared at one another in stony silence for a full minute. "Jaina," Kyp said softly, "what do you want from me?" Her eyes widened and she froze. Kyp cursed mentally. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I just… I'm still trying to understand…"
"I never thought this would be so hard," she whispered. He stopped and eyed her curiously. "I knew a year and a half ago that I wanted you to know Leyla, but I never imagined that you'd run from her too."
"Don't," he said harshly. "That isn't fair, and you know it. Whatever you've spent eighteen months envisioning, I've still only had three weeks to adjust to this. For most men, that isn't enough time to prepare to be a father, let alone find themselves suddenly thrust in the role." She opened her mouth and he cut her off. "No, I don't blame you for doing what you did and when you did it. But you have to see this from my side- I have a daughter who isn't even an infant anymore… a daughter who walks and talks, and knows me in the Force, purely by instinct. A beautiful daughter who I love more than anything else I've ever loved in my life and that terrifies me."
"Oh, Kyp," Jaina murmured sadly, eyes red. "I'm sorry; you're right. Expecting this to be easy was… a lot to ask. I guess I just didn't imagine that Leyla would take to you so quickly, that you would have more time before she was suddenly…"
"Completely attached?"
She sighed. "Yes."
"I thought so too," he admitted. "And the only thing more frightening to me than the intensity of my love for that child is the idea of disappointing her. You can understand that, can't you? I've disappointed you enough times." It was said jokingly, but they both knew he meant it entirely seriously.
A small, slightly sad smile touched the corners of her lips. "Yes, I understand. I won't pressure you about anything. But I'll tell you this: Jag and I are going to Coruscant," Kyp blinked in surprise. "The Chiss have asked him to take up a diplomatic liaison position, at least for the duration of the reconstruction period while the galaxy gets back on its feet. He'll do that, and I'll help coordinate Jedi assistance where it's most needed."
"So…" he studied her carefully. "You're saying… what? That I should go to Coruscant? That I shouldn't go to Coruscant?"
She looked exasperated. "I'm not telling you to do anything. They'll need lots of help with refugees in the undercity, plenty of other planets will need Jedi assistance, Luke, Mara, Kam, and Tionne will need help establishing a new school… you have plenty of options. What I'm saying is that Coruscant is where I'll be with Jag and Leyla for the foreseeable future and, should you happen to find yourself there as well, we'd be… pleased to see you."
For a long time, Kyp stared curiously at Jaina. Flushing, out of embarrassment or discomfort, she looked down. Forgetting himself for a moment, feeling like they were back nearly three years in the past when she was his apprentice, Kyp reached out and lifted her chin.
The twenty-year-old had matured incredibly since then, forced by all manner of difficult circumstances. For a fleeting moment though, she looked like the wide-eyed daughter of his friend, with a room full of taken-apart machinery, unsullied by war, death, the dark side…
The spell broke; Kyp jerked his hand away as if burned.
"I'll go with Master Skywalker," he murmured softly. "He and Mara have been supportive of me beyond imagining; I owe them some assistance." Her face fell almost unnoticeably. "Besides," his lips quirked, "I should probably learn something about kids now, huh?"
Her eyes brightened and Jaina smiled broadly. "Leyla turns two in a few months," she said. "Maybe you can take a vacation from academy-duty and be there for it."
"I wouldn't miss it for the galaxy."
Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene. Scene.
Thirteen Weeks Later
It was a small gathering, mostly of family. Han, Leia, and Jacen set aside their various duties for the evening to spend time with their daughter, son-in-law, and- most importantly- the birthday girl. Leyla was bouncing around the apartment, reacquainting with the Antilles, whom she had not seen since Zonama Sekot. Wedge was talking with Han and his nephew, Jag, while Iella sat with an exhausted Jaina and Leia.
For her part, Jaina was enjoying a bit of respite from chasing after the energetic two year old, who was being entertained by the young daughters of Wedge and Iella. It also gave her time to worry a little bit.
Kyp was not there.
She was restraining herself from attempting to track him down. He had told her, right before his farewell with a teary-eyed Leyla, that he intended to spend his time in the next few months figuring some things out, and she'd promised to give him his space to do so. He had not completely shut himself off… he often tacked a greeting on to messages from Luke or Mara, and would record a message just for Leyla, who always smiled happily- and asked with he was coming to see her.
Jaina and Jag always told her that he'd be there for her birthday. Leyla in turn would ask how far away that was, and seemed reluctantly contented when they answered.
So far, Leyla had not inquired after him, but Jaina feared that, when they sat down to dinner or cake, the realization that he wasn't there would set in more firmly. She didn't think she could stall much longer though.
"Are you alright, Jaina?"
She started, realizing what a poor a hostess she was being. Leia gave her a half-encouraging, half-worried smile.
"Sorry," she said to Iella. "Just trying to decide if we should get started."
"Waiting on anyone? Are Luke and Mara coming with Ben?"
Leia answered for her. "No, they couldn't get away from Ossus, but… Kyp was supposed to be bringing their holo-greetings and whatnot and he isn't here yet."
Ten minutes later, mentally bracing herself, Jaina announced that they'd sit down for dinner… and Leyla happily ran into her arms and allowed herself to be plopped into her high chair. Giving a bemused look towards Jag, Jaina shrugged slightly and got things underway.
Four hours later, a remarkably cake-covered Leyla was yawning and drifting asleep in Han's lap. The Antilles had just departed. "I think it's about bed time for this little one," he commented wryly to Jag.
Leyla muttered and blinked blearily. "Gotta stay up," she said softly, yawning.
"Why, sweetie?" Jag asked, moving to take her from Han.
"Have to wait for Kyp."
Jaina frowned and sighed, exchanging looks with Jag and Jacen. Before anyone could reply, however, Leyla was breathing deeply. Han kissed her softly on the forehead and gave her to Jag who settled her down on the couch next to Jaina while they bid the Solos farewell. Once they were gone, Jag and Jaina prepared for bed. Despite Leyla's good spirits, Jaina was dejected.
Kyp had promised his daughter he'd see her. And he hadn't even sent word that he couldn't make it, there had been no message from Ossus.
Maybe she'd been wrong about Kyp.
"Mommy!" she rolled over groggily. "Daddy!" She felt Jag pull away and she snuggled further down in the blankets in the absence of his warm presence.
"I'm on it," Jag said sleepily. "Go back to sleep."
So she did.
Sometime later, she awoke and checked her chrono. It was early; too early for her, but Leyla would likely be stirring soon, and she thought it best to let Jag get a little more sleep. Ducking out from under his arm, he mumbled and turned over as she drew on her robe. Smiling softly, she leaned over and kissed his brow before quietly departing the room and pulling the door shut behind her. After a quick stop in the refresher, she stuck her head in Leyla's room to make sure she was still asleep...
And her heart skipped a beat- she wasn't in her crib.
A million scenarios ran through her head in the two seconds it took her to verify that nothing felt wrong in the Force. Before she could do anything though, the sound of a soft giggle carried through the open door.
Maybe Leyla had found some way to extract herself from the crib finally, Jaina thought. Perhaps Jag had let her sleep in the living room after she'd woken him a few hours prior and she'd found some toy to play with while waiting for one of her parents to wake up and entertain her.
Before she reached the living room, another giggle burst from her daughter and this time, a hushed but deep voice followed.
"Shh! If you wake up your parents, then I'm going to get in trouble!"
"Nuh-uh."
"Yes I will! Remember what your dad told you? He said you could stay out here with me but only if you promised to get some more sleep."
"I sleep!"
He laughed. "You slept for half an hour and then woke me up when you started tickling me!"
Jaina stood in the doorway separating the hallway with the living room, a silly grin plastered on her face. Kyp was lying on the couch, his cloak and boots tucked in the corner by the door. Leyla was sitting cross-legged on his stomach with her arms folded before her in mock severity.
"Tell me!"
He laughed, but Jaina thought it sounded a little wearied. "Fine, fine… but then you have to go back to sleep, okay?" She nodded, her eyes widening. "Well… your great-uncle Luke sent me on a mission on my way here, you see- to a nice planet called 'Obroa-Skai.' Have you ever heard of it?"
"No."
"Okay then. Well I got to Obroa-Skai and talked to some very nice people, but then they didn't want me to leave- can you believe that?"
She frowned in consternation. "Don't want you go."
He stroked her soft curls. "Don't worry," he said softly, "I'm not leaving you. But I needed to leave Obroa-Skai to come see you, but I guess they didn't think that it was too important that I make it on time for your birthday!"
"Why?"
He sighed. "I guess they just really liked me," he muttered wryly.
"I like you, Kyp." Leyla yawned widely.
"Thanks, sweetie. I like you too. Anyway, it took me a long time to convince the nice people on Obroa-Skai that I really did have to leave, and that's why I got here so late. It was good of you to tell your daddy to come let me in."
"I felt." She tapped her head, and he grinned.
"I thought you might. Did you feel me trying to tell you not to worry, that I was on my way?" She nodded gravely. "You're a good girl, Leyla," he whispered. "Anymore questions?"
She yawned again. "Sleep here?"
"If you promise to sleep." She slid her small self down onto the couch and nuzzled up against his side, nestled in the crook of his arm. Kyp turned to his side to give her more room, and his eyes darted to the hallway and Jaina realized that he knew she was there.
She stepped slowly into the living room. "Hey," she said softly.
"Hi. Sorry I'm late."
As she got closer, she could see in the dim light how wearied he looked. There were dark circles under his eyes and she could sense his exhaustion rolling off of him in waves. Despite that though… he seemed content. "What happened?" she asked quietly, trying not to wake Leyla, who was already asleep once more.
He shook his head and looked pointedly down at Leyla. "Another time."
"It's good to see you," she smiled sincerely.
"You too."
"Do you want me to move her?"
He looked fondly down at the dark-haired girl snoring softly against his side. "Nah. I told her she could stay."
"Alright. Feel free to put her back in her crib if she won't stay asleep," Jaina said wryly. "Speaking of which, if the two of you are sleeping- and you look like you need it- then I'm definitely going back to bed."
He nodded and yawned much as Leyla had. "We'll talk in a few hours."
She smiled and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead and another to Kyp's cheek. "Sleep well."
And she went back to her bedroom after shooting one last glance at the pair curled up on the couch, Kyp's arm protectively around Leyla and her small hand fisted in his shirt. There was a peaceful contentedness in the air, and as Jaina slid back against Jag's dozing form, she knew everything would work out in the end.
Somehow, it always did.
Fin
A/N: Thanks for reading… I'd love to hear your thoughts! :-)
And keep your eyes peeled for Part 3 in a couple of weeks, called Against All Odds, set another five years after this one!
Cheers!
*~Lexi~*