There

He had been heavily wounded, he knew it. But it was worth it. He was no longer afraid of pain or sacrifice, even of laying down his life for the case. That was the Jedi way, and at the core he had always been a Jedi, even in times he tried to retire and always found out he could not. He smiled, a bit bitterly, to himself. Maybe this time, with both his wound and the virus, he would. Ultimately. He wasn't afraid; just curious.

He looked through the window, watching the Coruscant traffic. He felt as if he would laugh any moment. Some things never change, he thought. Like this planet. Really, it must have been the same in the times of the Old Republic.

'Almost.'

He jerked up at the sound of young woman's voice, unknown to him. He sat on the bed… and blinked. He'd swear only a while ago he was alone in the room.

She was standing by the window, her hair golden in the light of the setting sun. He'd heard of Force ghosts before, and wouldn't be surprised at such a sight. But she was… He knew she wasn't there, but she was so real, so real…

'I truly am here', she said, approaching his bed.

'Fay…', he said, stunned. 'How… Why…'

'To tell you there's still much work ahead of you.' She smiled slightly. 'Too early for retiring, Master Katarn.'

'Kyle', he corrected, weakly. 'But how could that be? The healers don't give me half a chance to make it…'

'But you will.'

He looked into her eyes. It was there, he saw that clearly – he would live.

'You came only to tell me that?'

'And to make you see the story you've heard. Isn't that what you wanted?'

He nodded.

'Indeed.'

She leaned over him and put a warm hand on his forehead. Instantly he felt better.

'That is what the healers could not predict', she said gently. 'You will live, Jedi. For some more years, you will live.'

He raised his gaze to look at her face.

'And then?', he asked. 'Will you come for me?'

'I won't come. But I'll be there. Trust me.'

Then he felt he had to ask her, he had to ask her before she'd be gone.

'Were you there for him?'

Her expression never faltered, but there was a slight change about her gaze he couldn't quite name. But it was there.

'Him?', her voice sounded casually.

'You must know…'

'I am always there', she interrupted, before he could mention the name. 'For everyone who wants me there, and for some those who doesn't. But not everyone could feel me.'

There was a brief silence. Kyle wondered if she was there for them all… Yoda, Obi-Wan, Anakin, all the Jedi who died at the rise of the Empire. And before…

'Yes, I was there', she said, as if she'd heard his thoughts. Or maybe she had. 'I was even there for Yan Dooku.'

He still didn't mention one name. Something he heard in the Valley had made him not to.

But she knew what he had been thinking.

'For him too. Throughout all his life.'

He smiled. Why would that made him feel relieved, he had no idea. And yet it did.

'Would you be there for me, Master Fay? Throughout all the remaining days?'

'I'm always there, as the Force is always there.'

'I know.' He knew she was. She had been one with the Force even while being still alive, and she was now. So strong the connection was she could make her figure look and feel real, as if she still had a physical body.

'Don't worry, Jedi, I will be there.'

'Thank you, Master Fay.'

She turned, her silhouette dissolving into the last lights of sunset, but her voice echoed in the room even a while after.

'It's just Fay. '

May the Force be with you all

Author's note:

So here came the end of the story. I hope you enjoyed it :)

(PS This 'him' Fay and Kyle are talking about near the end is Qui-Gon.)

There might be another, additional chapter. I've got it written down already, but I'm not sure if I should submit it. So tell me please if you'd like a pairing or not :)