Jaina was elated. Tomorrow she and Jacen would be fifteen, and their parents were due on Yavin IV any minute. And, even better, Zekk had promised to come for her birthday as well and would be there early the next day. The girl checked her appearance once more, then went outside to wait for her parents.

The Millennium Falcon had already touched down on the landing pad when Jaina joined her brother, Tenel Ka, and Lowbacca. The ramp opened and Han and Leia appeared at the top. The twins ran to hug them.

 "Daddy!" Jaina cried, her words muffled against his stomach. She grinned up at him with a look of pure adoration.

 He grinned back and looked his daughter up and down. "Sweetie, you're looking more grown-up every time I see you. You won't be my little girl anymore."

 Jaina looked at Han sternly. "Daddy, I'll always be your little girl. Even when I'm old and married," she promised.

 Han just laughed. "Jaina?"

 "Yes, Dad?"

 "Surprise!" Han stepped away from the ramp and whistled. Footsteps could be heard from the ship's interior, and a dark form appeared at the top of the ramp.

 Jaina smiled and waited on the ground. "Hello, Zekk," she murmured. A year ago, she would have run up the ramp to hug him. But she was a day away from being fifteen and didn't want to appear childish in front of Zekk.

 When we reached the end of the ramp, Zekk took hold of Jaina's hand and smiled into her eyes. "It's nice to see you again, Jaina," he replied.

Jaina couldn't resist smiling back. "I didn't think you were coming until tomorrow. But I'm glad you came now."

 Zekk smiled charmingly at her, and Jaina felt her heart flip over. She wondered briefly if he felt like this when she smiled. Then she realized her parents and friends were staring at her and stepped back self-consciously.

"Let's go into the Temple," Jacen suggested. "Uncle Luke'll want to see you." The group made its way back to the Great Temple. Master Skywalker met them at the entrance.

 "Welcome back, Han, Leia." Luke smiled calmly at them. "Hello, Zekk."

 "Greetings, Master Skywalker." Zekk replied.

 The group made small talk for awhile, catching up on each other's news, and Jacen and Luke led everyone to the main throne room. Zekk grabbed Jaina's elbow to keep her from following them, then held a finger to his lips.

 Jaina nodded and followed him, wondering what in blazes he was doing. She managed to keep her temper in check; both Uncle Luke and her mother had warned her about it.

He led her by the hand until they were far enough into the jungle to be out of sight of the Temple. Only then did Jaina allow herself to demand of Zekk, "Why'd you bring me out here, anyway?"

"To give you your birthday present." The shade in the jungle was dark, and Jaina wasn't sure if Zekk's cheeks were red or not. What was going on?

 "But my birthday's not till tomorrow!" she protested. She couldn't read his expression. Soon it would be time for dinner, and everyone would surely notice if the two of them were absent.

 Jaina's mind was trying to discern Zekks' mood when he grabbed both of her hands. She forced herself to look into his bottomless dark eyes, and immediately became lost in the emotion she found there. The deep darkness was slowly moving toward her, staring back, and before Jaina knew what was happening, her eyes were closed and her lips were pressed to Zekk's.

 When he pulled back, she opened her eyes wide and stared at him, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. He swallowed and looked back at her, then squeezed her hand and looked down. His other hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sack, which he handed to her.

 "Happy birthday," he mumbled. "It's not much, it's supposed to be sort of, well, ah, a, um, supplement present to your, um, first one."

 Jaina understood him perfectly and accepted the bag. Inside were myriad different spare parts. Jaina managed to smile up at Zekk and whisper, "Thank you."

 The two made their way through the jungle hand in hand, but separated when they spotted the Temple. Light was fading fast, which meant that dinner would start soon.

 Jaina left Zekk's side and went to find Jacen, hoping her face wasn't too red. He'd know what had happened without her having to come out and say it.

 Jacen could tell with a single look. "We'll talk later, sis," he whispered as the group made its way to the dining hall.

 Only then did Jaina detect that scarlet hue of her twin's face and stopped to stare at him, reading his sense. "You too?" she whispered. He nodded sheepishly.

Jaina grinned at him. "Happy birthday, Jasa. I guess we're finally growing up after all."