Anakin took care of their survivor while Luke and Nakari, with Artoo's help, scanned the entirety of the Harvester. Once that was complete, Anakin helped Nakari slave the controls of the Harvester to the Desert Jewel.

Finally, they all traversed back to the Jewel, scanning it as well just in case, and took off for open space without bothering to remove their suits, so eager were they go leave Fex.

As soon as the planet was far behind them Luke pulled off his damaged helmet. "All right, I've got to get out of this thing; I feel like my head's going to fall off," he muttered, pulling off the rubber cowl underneath with some difficulty. Apparently breaking out in a sweat earlier when he'd been attacked by the skullborers had caused the cowl to stick; charming.

Nakari looked to Luke with a wry smile. "Your head looks fine to me."

Anakin chuckled from where he sat in the cockpit listening to the conversation. Nakari and Luke were currently standing in the small lounge, but they had left the door to the cockpit open, so Anakin could hear their words clearly.

Luke laughed. "That's debatable. I've done a lot of things no sane person would do," he chuckled, peeling out of the rest of the suit. "Finally," he sighed, dropping onto the nearest chair and resting his head against the wall, eyes closed.

Nakari, not yet fully out of her own suit, laughed at Luke's comment, but her mirth died when she saw more fully something she'd barely caught a glimpse of before.

Frowning, Nakari shrugged out of the rest of her armor and then tentatively approached Luke, her gaze riveted to his neck, which had become exposed during his removal of his rubber lining and helmet.

She wasn't a blind fool; she'd noticed how he intentionally kept his collar high and he always fidgeted with it. She knew the mark bothered him, but this was the first time she had seen it exposed so clearly.

She recognized the mark instantly and understood why Luke was so uncomfortable with it. He bore the Imperial symbol on his neck, a brand obviously meant to cause both short-term and long-term trouble and pain.

She didn't think he realized it was exposed, since he was so laid back at the moment. Nakari bit her lip and then approached, kneeling down beside him and starting to reach for his collar...

When Luke felt fingers ever so lightly brush the skin of his neck, he reacted without even thinking, hand snapping out to grab the assaulting hand before it could even retract, taking in a sharp breath as his entire body went ridged.

When Luke opened his eyes and realized it was Nakari he was holding in that grip, he abruptly released her, trembling from an assault of memories, guilt, and other feelings he didn't want coming to the surface. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, just..." Luke trailed off, struggling with words for a few moments as he pulled the collar as high as it could go. "Please don't," he asked her, wincing as a shudder went through him when the words brought the memory to the front of his mind at full force.

...you will be branded like the animal you are...

Please...don't...

Nakari retracted her hand, feeling an odd combination of embarrassment, fear and shame. She dropped her hand and her gaze simultaneously, allowing him his space.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, rising awkwardly. "I didn't mean to cross a line. I was...well, it was exposed, and I know you prefer it covered..."

She too was struggling for words. Luke had not as of yet shown her such battle-ready action and he'd never lifted a hand to her like that. While she knew it had been a knee-jerk reaction for him which she had instigated, she wasn't sure how to feel right then.

And Luke's trembling form wasn't helping matters any.

From the cockpit, Anakin waited in tense anticipation for whatever would happen next. As much as he wanted to help Luke, the father in him knew Luke and Nakari needed to learn to work things out for themselves.

Anakin and Padmé had also needed those lessons.

Luke was feeling increasingly worse for his reaction and for scaring her. "No, it wasn't you, don't apologize," Luke tried to amend. "I just...I wasn't expecting it and I'm still...I'm still getting over those particular scars..."

Luke looked away, feeling his guilt mount as he worked to control his shaking form. "I'm sorry I scared you...I didn't mean to..."

Nakari didn't respond right away; her emotions and her mind were still trying to figure themselves out. She didn't know what to say, or how, so instead of risking striking another raw nerve, she settled for a quiet 'it's okay' and a nod of her head.

Without waiting for a reply, Nakari retreated to the cockpit, and only then did she realize that upon her leaving the space earlier, she'd forgotten to close the door. Ergo, Anakin had heard everything.

Nakari blushed deeply as she took the copilot's seat, feeling strangely trapped. Anakin, for his part, was doing his best to allow her some space, but it was also clear that he wanted to say something. He looked like he wanted to help, and she wasn't sure he could.

However, after a long moment in which they'd both managed to settle down, Anakin surprised her greatly.

"Thank you," he murmured.

Nakari's brow furrowed and she turned to meet his gaze. "What?"

His lips showed the barest hint of a smile as he repeated his previous statement. "Thank you."

Nakari's frown deepened. "Why are you thanking me? We just had a...fight."

Anakin nodded once in acknowledgement of that fact and then explained. "I haven't seen Luke this happy...or to openly laugh and be so carefree in a long time." He paused, lips pursed thoughtfully. "Or ever, actually. Luke had never worn that smile he gives you until he met you that day in the hangar bay."

Nakari opened her mouth to reply, but nothing legible formulated, so she shut it again.

Anakin didn't seem bothered by that, however, and he continued his line of thought verbally. "Luke has been through a very traumatic experience, and while it's not my place to give you the gory details, suffice it to say he was captured and put through Imperial interrogation," Anakin made quotation marks with his fingers. "He still suffers from flashbacks of it, and he's having trouble moving on from what happened."

Anakin reached over and touched her forearm lightly. "It's nothing personal against you. Please don't judge him without all the facts, Nakari. It's unfair to him, and truthfully, to yourself."

Nakari knew he was right, but she couldn't think of that right now, and she didn't want company. She was dead tired, though, and so she had a plausible excuse to leave.

Standing with a small yawn that wasn't entirely faked, Nakari looked at him and then glanced away. "I'm bushed. I'll go get some sleep now."

"Okay," Anakin murmured, and she felt his eyes follow her until she disappeared into her cabin.

********************************************************************************

When Nakari left, Luke buried his face in his hands and cursed his scars, his relapses, himself, everything. He ran his hands through his hair, pulling at the roots as he tried to get the expression that had been on her face out of his mind. He was horrified and ashamed of himself for how he'd reacted, and he wanted nothing more than to make it so he'd never lifted a hand against her. He hadn't hurt her of course, he'd sensed as much, but he could have.

Suddenly feeling like he couldn't breathe, Luke rose from his spot in the lounge and locked himself in the refresher, bracing himself against the sink with his head bowed low, breathing coming a little heavier with every passing second. He wanted to scream in frustration for scaring away someone that was becoming rather important to him, but he couldn't because the other occupants of the ship would hear, and he didn't want an audience to his pain.

In a physical, short display of his frustration, shame, and anger towards himself, Luke violently tore out of his shirt, tossing it into the corner before turning to the mirror and staring intently at the offending marks on his skin.

Imperial Jedi...that was all anyone was ever going to see, or at the very least the Imperial mark. one way or another, the symbols burned into his skin were going to bring misery and pain everywhere he went, pushing away everyone he wanted to stay without him being able to do anything about it. Tears of pain and anger slipped past his eyes and he grit his teeth, trying to control the violent tremors that were racking his body as he tried not to lash out or sob. As a result, a strangled sound broke past his lips and the mirror in front of him cracked, the image distorted perfectly so that if Luke looked up the brand on his neck wouldn't be visible in the mirror. Another crack appeared where the brand on his chest would be in the reflection as Luke lost his inner battle and broke down, sinking to the floor as his emotions overwhelmed him. He buried half his face in his left hand, curling in on himself as he just let everything he'd been bottling up bleed out of his heart.

*********************************************************************************

Anakin sat in the pilot's seat, feeling Luke's internal battle seep through their Force connection. Nakari was already asleep—that hadn't taken long, he mused—and so it was just the men now.

He ached for his son, and he could feel the anger in Luke rise, heard the crack of glass, and then he felt Luke's utter sorrow wash over him in a tidal wave. Anakin silently cursed the Imperials once more and then stood, unable to take this anymore.

He made his way to the refresher, tested the handle and discovered it locked. Anakin put his ear to the door to make sure Luke was in fact decent, then used the Force to unlock it. He opened the door and caught sight of Luke shirtless while the loose garment lay ripped and discarded in the corner. His son was curled into a ball while he covered his face. Only, when Anakin walked in, Luke tensed, looking away.

Anakin said nothing, but he also refused to leave. He closed the door once more and then settled down next to Luke on the floor, offering his silent support.

For a few moments Luke didn't take the support, feeling almost like he didn't deserve it. But after a particularly painful throb of his heart he leaned into his father, allowing the older Skywalker to give the support he'd silently offered.

What was he supposed to do now? He'd accidentally pushed Nakari away—he hadn't meant or wanted to. He doubted she'd be able to be in the same room as him for long now, and that thought hurt, more than he'd thought it would.

Anakin breathed a muted thanks to the Force when Luke leaned into him, wrapping a loving arm about him and pulled Luke closer, gently resting his head against his son's. He sought for something to say, but wasn't sure if words would be helpful right now, so he settled for just holding Luke while the youth wept. He would allow Luke to open up if and when he was ready.

Luke buried his face in Anakin's chest, heart throbbing painfully as he spoke around his tears. "I really messed up this time..." he whispered, voice cracking like the mirror. "I didn't mean to, and...she looked so scared..."

Anakin chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment, and then spoke what he knew to be the truth.

"No, you didn't push her away completely," he murmured to Luke. "You gave her a shock, yes, but she'll recover. She just hasn't yet seen you outside of your normal, happier self." He gave Luke a gentle squeeze. "We all have emotions, and we all have our issues; it's what makes us mortal."

Anakin paused to let that sink in, and then continued. "You know, relationships take work, time, and patience; definitely patience. You have to work at it, and you have to learn to accept the other as they are and learn to work through the hard times together. All couples have moments like these; I know your mother and I have. Though to be fair, I usually instigate them."

He recalled one perfect instance, and shared it with Luke.

"During the Clone Wars, a man Padmé had known before the war came to her for help and I grew jealous and suspicious of him; so much so that I actually drove Padmé away from me for a while. It wasn't until she was in need of rescue—from the same man whom I had thought was shady—that she let me back in. Also, it was only after the event that we both saw he had been manipulated by Count Dooku." Anakin squeezed his eyes shut. "I almost lost your mother that day, Luke. I looked back during the ride home and realized that had she died that day, it would have been before we could make up."

He realized that his story might not have had the intended effect, so he elaborated more in the hopes of not ruining this conversation.

"The point is, just give Nakari time to digest what happened, but don't leave it so long that it festers and eventually what could have been love dies out," Anakin said. "And remember, she has had a lot of strange stuff dumped on her today; what with my own episode and all, then the attack on the Harvester, and now your relapse..." He pulled Luke closer yet. "Nakari doesn't hate you; she's just in need of space and a chance to figure things out for herself. I have a feeling she will come to you when she's ready."

Anakin paused once more, then spoke the last quietly. "And, if you do want to pursue a relationship with her, then at some point you will need to tell her the truth about what those marks are from."

Luke shuddered at the thought of having to explain his scars. With Anakin all he'd needed to do was show him, though explaining it...he'd have to look at those moments in detail so he could relay it to her...

Still, his father did have a point. Though Luke still worried over how Nakari would cope. Luke could have hurt her, and both Luke and Nakari knew that. He let out an unsteady sigh, feeling his energy starting to drain away. "I just wish something would go right for once..." he murmured, unable to help but think of all the recent deaths and unsteady relationships he was scrambling to make work.

Anakin forced himself not to stiffen, knowing Luke would take it as a bad thing, and he stemmed his flash of hurt at the boy's words. He knew Luke was only venting his troubles. So, he opted for a different approach.

"You know—at least in my opinion—we're doing alright..." he reminded his son as a gentle rebuke.

Surprisingly, a small smile flickered across Luke's face at his father's words. "One of the few," he murmured. His father was a peaceful, bright light from the galaxy among the tons of bitterness and pain it had thrown at him, and although Luke never said anything about it, sometimes he couldn't help but fear that one day he'd wake up and Anakin would no longer be there.

Anakin sensed Luke's fear, and he sighed inwardly. He wanted to promise he'd ever leave, but he didn't know when the Force would call him back to his day and time. So instead of a meaningless promise, Anakin allowed his love to envelope Luke like a warm blanket, letting his son feel he would never abandon him, even if he was no longer physically present.

Luke let his father's love envelope him, letting it sooth and calm him as much as he could be calmed. However, he was still spent and now exhausted. So, he fell asleep rather quickly in his father's embrace without so much as a warning, hardly even realizing when reality gave way to unconsciousness.

Anakin smiled warmly when, like a child, Luke fell asleep against his side, his head still pillowed against his chest. Anakin simply sat where he was, not wanting to wake his son and relishing this moment with him.

However, when Luke began to shiver with cold, Anakin recalled that the boy was shirtless. He used the Force to open the refresher door and called softly for Artoo.

The droid appeared and Anakin looked to him. "Would you please bring a blanket for Luke?"

Artoo acknowledged and disappeared, returning a short time afterwards with the desired item.

"Thanks Artoo. Watch the ship while we rest, would you?"

Dooeep! Artoo spun back around and wheeled out, leaving the door ajar.

Anakin wrapped Luke in the blanket, his love, and his arms, then rested his head against Luke's hair, kissed his head before he just sat there, a silent sentinel. He lost all track of time and he passed it with memories of Padme, and how radiant she'd look with a belly rounded over their two children.

He never noticed when he too fell asleep.

**********************************************************************************

Nakari didn't know what woke her, but she was awake and she felt refreshed. With a stretch and a yawn, Nakari slid from the bed and then stepped up to the dresser for a change of clothes.

Her mind, previously blank from catching up with the waking world, now recalled her reactions to Luke last night. She sighed, running a hand over her chin.

She should have known he'd react if she tried touching what was obviously a taboo item with him. If she had truly only been trying to help, she'd simply have told him his collar was down and that would have been the end of it.

No, she had wanted a closer look, had wanted to touch it. She knew that was wrong, just as she knew her reaction to his panicked reflexes had been childish.

She glared at her reflection from where it stared back at her on the wall-mounted glass. "You need to make this right, you selfish fool," Nakari chastised herself.

With that in mind, along with a warm shower, Nakari grabbed her fresh clothing and made her way for the refresher. She noted that the ship was unusually quiet for having three humans onboard.

Wondering what her companions were up to, Nakari decided she would figure it out after her...

She stepped up to the partially-opened hatch of the refresher and promptly froze. Inside, sitting together against the far wall, was Luke and Anakin. Nakari tilted her head at the sight, seeing how Luke was obviously turning to Anakin for comfort while Anakin was openly acting as the protector.

She recalled Luke denying they were brothers, so maybe they were cousins? She couldn't think of any other explanation for these two's relationship.

Nakari made to turn when her gaze, almost against her will, lingered on Luke.

Her heart fluttered at the sight of him so...vulnerable. His face was completely relaxed and his hair fell in random patterns to play peek-a-boo with his handsome facial features.

She let out a soft sigh, a gentle smile touching her lips. There was no doubting Luke was a very handsome man, and he was a sweetheart, too.

That brought her back to her actions the night before, and her smile faded as guilt crushed it to powder.

Of course he was a sweetheart; he was the gentlest soul Nakari had ever met. He hadn't meant to hurt or frighten her.

What made her feel worse was the acknowledgement that Nakari had retreated to lick her own wounds while she left Luke to wallow in his mistaken belief that he had pushed her away.

She bit her lip, knowing she had to make amends; but how?

Then a thought hit her, and she decided to give it a shot; it all she could do, really. She wanted to do more than just say sorry.

Nakari returned her clothes to her room and then made her way to the galley. It had already been established that she wasn't a very good cook, but by the stars she'd give it a try for Luke.

He was, after all, steadily burrowing like a seed into her heart, and she didn't mind that at all. The only question was if he felt anything like that for her.

Getting a few ingredients out for her late mother's hotcake recipe, Nakari got started.

********************************************************************************

Luke was the first of the pair of Skywalkers to wake up. He blinked blearily as he returned to consciousness, taking a moment to figure out where he was and about a minute to remember why he was curled up in Anakin's arms. When he did remember, he sincerely wished he was unconscious once more. However, he was already awake, and experience told him his mind was already too active to fall asleep again. So, very reluctantly, Luke pried himself free of his father's embrace, taking great care not to wake the elder Skywalker. He shivered against the sudden cold, remembering his momentary act of frustration and gathering up the torn shirt on the floor before he turned to his father and situated the blanket back around the man.

"Thank you," he murmured softly, squeezing Anakin's shoulder and making sure the other was comfortable before he left the refresher behind to go and get a new shirt.

As Luke dressed, he could smell something wafting towards him from the galley. Considering Anakin was passed out in the bathroom, Luke immediately knew Nakari was the source. He frowned the next moment, thinking of how she'd said their diet was going to consist of the protein rations after the nerf steaks. What could she possibly be cooking?

Not wanting to dwell on Nakari too long and bring up the painful emotions of last night, Luke set thoughts of her aside the best he could, pulling on a fresh shirt and making his way to the other side of the ship; to the cockpit.

Artoo greeted him with an inquiring chirp, and Luke automatically patted Artoo's domed head. "I'll be okay, Artoo," he assured the droid, sitting in the pilot's chair and checking to see how long they had left before he sat back in the chair and stared at the passing blue streaks of hyperspace, his mind—and heart—in turmoil.

******************************************************************************

Nakari thought she heard someone rustling about and she paused to listen. Indeed, she poked her head out to check and saw a shock of golden hair enter the cockpit. Nakari thinned her lips when the ship fell silent again and she returned to her cooking, determination fueling her once more.

She had followed the recipe exactly, and she prayed the offering was at the very least edible, even if it didn't taste the best.

She finally completed her task and piled a few cakes and a slice of bacon on the side. Biting her lip and with a nervous air, Nakari walked to the front of the ship.

She swallowed hard once she stood outside the door, then mustered up her courage and entered.

She waited for the door to close behind her, and when he didn't turn to see who was there, she fidgeted.

Just do it! she pepped herself.

"Luke?" she spoke timidly, taking a tentative step forward.

Luke jumped slightly at the voice that broke through his brooding, turning in surprise to see Nakari standing hesitantly in the cockpit entrance. For a few heart stopping moments Luke believed she was still afraid of him, and the guilt threatened to swallow him whole once again before her presence in the Force assured him she was just worried about startling him. A blush colored his cheeks, and he suddenly felt awkward, last night's events still painfully fresh in his mind.

"Nakari," he acknowledged, trying to sound less like he felt. It was hard enough to face her, let alone look her in the eyes. Trying to think of something safe to say, Luke gestured to the controls. "We should be there in a few hours," he finally managed to say.

Nakari recognized the ice-breaker and gladly went along with it.

"That's good to hear; I'm ready to stretch my legs outside the ship without the fear of brain-eating parasites."

Luke smiled tentatively at the joke. "Yeah, I think we all are," he said. He decided that since she'd made a joke it was safe to inquire about the two plates in her hand. What was on them looked nothing like the protein rations she'd said they would be subject to. He nodded to one of the plates. "I thought you said we didn't have any more real food on the ship?"

She looked down at her offering, grimacing in self-depreciation. "Well, when you taste my culinary skills—or rather the lack thereof—you might wish for those protein tubes."

She gingerly handed him a plate. "Ah...it's an apology...for my overstepping my bounds last night. I...shouldn't have touched your...well, your brand. I'm sorry." She sighed. "And...I feel horrible about letting you stew all night."

Nakari waited for him to either reject or accept her offering, her eyes lowered.

Luke was surprised, gingerly taking the plate from her before he trapped her hand within his own as he set the plate aside. "You shouldn't have to apologize, you didn't do anything wrong," Luke told her sincerely as he brought his now-free hand over so her hand was gently clasped in both of his. "I'm the one who should be apologizing for the way I reacted. Overreaction is an understatement. I didn't mean to scare or hurt you or raise a hand against you..." Luke said, his voice warbling from emotion as he managed to get his apology out, the horror and shame of his reaction leaking into his tone.

Nakari gazed at him a moment, unsure of how to proceed with that.

She settled on another tentative comment. "You reacted to a memory reflex, Luke, nothing more."

Nakari shifted on her feet. "Which is something that you wouldn't have done if I hadn't been selfish. I admit I saw some of the mark before yesterday, and when I saw it fully I just...had to touch it. I shouldn't have touched it; a verbal notice would have sufficed."

Luke couldn't help the fact his brow furrowed in confusion when she said she'd felt she had to touch it; it was an odd thing to say. Why would she have to touch his brand?

Deciding not to dwell on the thought for too long, Luke sighed. He decided just to skip the conversation circles they would go in if they each were bent on themselves being at fault but not the other, getting right to the compromise. "Let's just agree that we were both at fault," he said. "Because nothing's going to change the fact I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, for me. And I can tell you're not going to let go of your self-blame in the matter either. How about we just...try to move forward and leave it in the past?"

Nakari lifted her head to meet his serious gaze, and felt her heart lighten.

She allowed a mischievous twinkle to touch her eyes. "Tell you what; if you can stomach my food then it's a deal."

Luke felt relief seep through his veins when he heard her words, and he let a smile of his own slowly spread across his face as the weight in his chest started to disappear. "It should be fine so long as you didn't cook it like I do nerf steaks," he finally joked lightly, hoping the emotionally heavy edge to his voice was gone now.

Nakari couldn't help it; she threw her head back and laughed, nearly dropping her plate of food in the process.

That led to a mad scramble to keep the dish level and she ended up tripping over the fastenings for the co-pilot's seat. She let out a startled squeak as she felt herself falling...

Luke, who wasn't strapped down and whose hands were free, stood up swiftly to catch her before she could fall, managing to catch the precarious plate as well before it could fall to the floor. "Easy there," he warned. A small smile slipped across his expression. "You're not wearing an invisible Fexian helmet, are you?"

Nakari snorted a laugh, allowing Luke to place her plate next to his. Then she met his gaze and blushed, swallowing with some embarrassment.

"Ah, thanks for the save," she managed, her eyes held fast by his baby blues. Then she straightened with another blush, brushing a hand down her pants.

Luke sensed her embarrassment and felt a small hint of his own when their grasp on one another held a little longer than it probably should have. He released her and stepped back, handing her plate back to her. "No problem," he said with a small, shy smile. He resumed his seat before something occurred to him, his face flushing with heat. "Ah, before we get too far away from the subject of apologies...your mirror's...well...cracked in one or two places. It was an accident, no one punched it or anything," he said, feeling his cheeks burn as he grabbed his own plate off the consol.

Nakari lifted her brow, but shrugged it off. "Gives me a chance to convince my dad to give me a larger mirror in the refresher."

With that she took her seat and began to eat her creation, awaiting Luke's reaction to her peace offering.

Luke did his best not to poke warily at the hotcake, already noticing the bacon looked...well...crispy.

Still, it was better than protein sludge.

Luke took a careful bite and was relieved to find that it wasn't too bad. Dry, and there might be a clump of batter powder somewhere for all he knew, but it was good. He nodded to show he liked it until he'd swallowed. "It's much better than my nerf steak," Luke told her with a smile.

Nakari smiled widely. "Really? Thanks...Well, thanks to my..." she hesitated, her smile faltering as she began to pick at her plate. "...my mother. It was her recipe, all I did was follow the directions."

Luke caught her falter, but didn't press the topic. He didn't want to shatter their peaceful rekindling. Maybe another time he would ask, but right now he wanted the mood to stay lighthearted and happy, nothing morbid or sad.

Luke glanced back towards the hall, looking for something to divert the conversation from its current path. "I wonder if Anakin's awake yet...usually he's the first one up."

Nakari glanced back as well. "He must've been exhausted..." she flashed Luke a playful grin. "After all, it's hard work being afraid of tiny parasites."

Luke snorted. "I would have never guessed. I think it was the invisible, penetrate your helmet and brain in seconds part." Luke shivered. "I will admit, that was pretty scary when that one's rotary bone pierced my visor over my eye. Though I still think the lightning was overkill on his part."

Nakari belly laughed, clutching at her stomach. "A big, tough Jedi like him..." she breathed between laughs, "I'm s-sorry Luke but it's just too funny!"

Luke snickered as well. "I will be sure to tease him about that...scared of little purple aliens..."

Luke grimaced. "Though at the same time, he might do a lot of some part of training he knows I don't like for revenge..."

Nakari wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, sobering. "Uh-oh, we don't want that." She glanced down the hall. "Lucky for you he seems to be fast asleep still."

Luke paused, prodding around with the Force for a moment before he gave a confirming nod. "Oh yeah, he's still out like a light." At the odd look she gave him, he gave her a shy smile in return and started to explain. "I can sense it through the Force...where people are, emotions sometimes if I'm paying attention, when someone's telling the truth if I'm paying attention, if someone's unconscious or conscious...I can get senses of danger or even warnings when danger or potential death is headed my way. It gets easier with practice and a strong connection to the Force."

Nakari nodded. "I've heard a few odd takes from some of the older folks my dad knows. So...you're training to be a Jedi then?"

Luke nodded. "It's only been a few months though. I have my moments I guess, but...I'm not a Jedi yet. Just training." He snorted. "I can't even levitate a soggy vegetable yet. Well...i guess that's not fair to me. I can't levitate anything like Anakin—telekinesis eludes me—but I'm good at sensing things through the Force, wielding a lightsaber, meditation...basically, I've made progress in everything else," Luke said with a small snort.

Nakari nodded. "Well, if it makes you happy, then go for it. This galaxy needs good men like you to protect it." She glanced at their now empty plates and gathered them, standing to leave. "I'm going to go change into some fresh clothes. Thanks for braving my food."

Luke chewed on the inside of his cheek for a few seconds. He'd been considering something in the back of his mind throughout the conversation and, in case Anakin woke up and they lost their chance for privacy, he decided to act now.

"Nakari, wait," he said gently, grasping her wrist and pulling her back towards him carefully. He took the plates from her and set them on the console, turning to face her again, his expression suddenly serious. "May I...may I see your hand?" he asked, hoping he didn't back out now.

Nakari frowned at his sudden demeanor, studying him hesitantly for a moment. But she trusted him, so she held out her free hand to him, wondering what he wanted.

Tenderly, Luke took Nakari's hand in his own two hands. He took a deep breath to steady himself, letting his eyes close before he very slowly brought her hand to his neck—he moved slowly so that he wouldn't rush himself and accidentally cause a relapse or some other defensive, knee-jerk reaction. He covered the back of her hand with his palm in a gesture of comfort so she wouldn't pull away, letting her know that he was all right with this; the only problem he'd had with it the first time was he wasn't expecting it and it had happened suddenly, triggering his response. Tentatively, Luke lowered her hand to his neck, stiffening involuntarily when the skin of her fingertips brushed his brand. He forced himself to slowly relax, gradually pressing her entire hand to his neck and letting his hands slide to her wrist, letting out a long, slow breath of air as he forced himself to calm.

Nakari had tensed in surprise when Luke started to bring her hand toward his neck. She didn't want him doing this because he felt bad...

But then, as if sensing her discomfort with his Force, Luke had covered her hand with his and she'd relaxed again.

She let him take his time, and when first her fingertips, then her whole palm rested on his brand, Nakari sucked in a breath. She didn't move at first, almost afraid that if she did she'd trigger something else unexpected.

But then he slid his hands down to her wrist, and Nakari stared, waiting to see if he would now pull her back. However, he didn't, so Nakari took that as permission.

Tenderly, Nakari curled her fingertips and felt the roughened edges of the mark. The whole thing was strangely indented, yet embossed at the same time. And she found it odd that while it had looked smooth from a distance, touch told her another story.

Nakari took a hesitant step closer to Luke, careful to move so she didn't make him uncomfortable. With her one limb still gently caressing his brand, Nakari brought a second, tentative palm up to his cheek.

Luke kept his eyes closed, fighting back the wave of memories that threatened to come back to him. Instead, he focused on Nakari's hand gently caressing the brand, letting the motion sooth him instead of allowing it to agitate his darker memories. When he felt Nakari's hand rest on his cheek though, Luke allowed his eyes to slowly open. Every move was gradual and careful as he didn't want the fragile moment to shatter. He leaned slightly into her touch against his cheek as it was the more comforting contact and was helping to distract him from the painful memories. Still, as much as the touch to his brand brought back those horrific memories, he also found it oddly...comforting.

Nakari's heart did a little dance when Luke leaned into her palm and opened his eyes. She let her gratitude show plainly on her face; she knew what a great amount of willpower and trust he had shown and was still showing by allowing her to touch his mark.

Nakari stepped closer still until they were mere inches apart, feeling the urge to help him understand that she didn't think him ugly because of the brand.

Pleading with him via her eyes not to freak out on her, Nakari lowered her head. She kept her movements slow and steady, and, before he could question her or back out—before she lost her courage—Nakari removed her hand placed her lips to his brand.

Luke stiffened in surprise at the action as heat flashed through him, having not expected that of all things. This time, however, he managed to keep his head...well...as much as he could when a beautiful woman had her lips pressed against his neck. His breath caught in his throat for a moment and his mouth formed a small, barely noticeable 'o' of surprise. A low, rumbling hum rose in his chest and his eyes fluttered closed again, though this time it was because of the pleasure that tingled through him at the contact, his heart skipping a few beats from the emotions that were rising up inside of him to clash with and overwhelm the negative.

Nakari heard Luke's soft vocalization and she smiled gently against his skin. Then she pulled back and gazed at him, waiting to see what he would do.

Luke felt a twinge of distress when she pulled away, not wanting her to take away the sweet contact. His eyes opened to hold her gaze again and, before he could possibly think twice about what he was doing and let the moment slip away again, Luke quickly leaned forward and trapped Nakari's lips with his own, hand sliding up to cusp the hand that was currently cradling his cheek.

Nakari felt something rise within her when Luke captured her lips. She managed to take in a shaky breath before she returned the embrace of his lips, reveling in the feel of his soft mouth on hers. He tasted so good, and by thestars could Luke kiss!

Luke couldn't help but shudder a little when he kissed Nakari, breath momentarily leaving him as his mind completely blanked and instinct took over. He'd never kissed anyone like this before but...he knew he wanted to do it more. His heart hammered in his chest and excitement pulsed through his veins, his remaining free hand snaking up to bury in Nakari's dark curls and cup the back of her neck in his palm. He deepened the kiss even more mostly on the sole fact that he didn't want to pull away and he definitely didn't want the moment to end. He'd felt the kiss coming a few times already, but now it was actually happening. She tasted...amazing, to say the least, and she was so gentle and soft...

What made it even better for him was he could sense—could feel—her feelings as well, which only made him draw closer. Meanwhile, all the negative, the entire galaxy, simply...melted away, and he felt himself truly, completely relax, losing himself in the kiss with this beautiful woman before him.

Nakari's pulse was racing, and her nerves were singing with pleasure as Luke played with her hair and cupped the base of her skull. When he drew her closer, Nakari withdrew her hand from his face to wrap her arms around him. Nakari exhilarated in his secure, gentle warmth, but she wanted nothing more than to luxuriate in his arms, to feel them surround her.

Nakari also delved into her emotions, letting the growing feelings she had for Luke take precedence. She didn't quite know how his Force thing worked, but she hoped she was indeed sending her growing feelings for him.

Luke gasped against Nakari's lips when he suddenly felt a powerful rush of emotion come from her directed towards him. He felt weak at the knees and was grateful in that moment that he was sitting down. Still, in response he deepened the kiss further, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her closer to him, gently positioning her on his lap as his fingers traced small lines along her side in a feather light touch. He wound his fingers deeper in her hair, hoping he could show her the feelings that had been building up inside of him since he'd first seen her.

Nakari tried not to let their newfound position excite her, but it was growing increasingly difficult with the way Luke was tracing lines of sweet fire along her side. She shuddered and, though she didn't want this kiss to end, she gently but firmly began to pull her face back.

Not wanting Nakari to feel uncomfortable in any way, Luke allowed her to pull away, his breathing uneven and heavy. He didn't unwind his hand from her hair or unwrap his arm from her waist. He hated that she'd pulled away, already missing the feel of her lips on his, but if she felt uncomfortable—and he'd sensed as much—then he would stop. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable.

She felt suddenly cold without him kissing her, and so she snuggled against him, seeking the comfort of his arms encircling her.

"Stars, Luke," Nakari breathed, her head nestled against the curve of his neck to shoulder. "You can kiss me like that any time."

Luke drew Nakari close to him, helping her get comfortable and allowing her to rest her head in the crook of his shoulder, eyes closing to savor the contact. She smelled amazing, like citrus and mint, and he slowly began to run his fingers through her dark curls, smiling gently at her statement.

"I might take you up on that offer," he replied in a low murmur, burying his face in her soft hair. He wouldn't mind staying like this forever with Nakari in his arms...

Nakari sighed contentedly at the wonderful feeling of Luke playing with her hair. She would never have guessed that having someone run their fingers through her locks like that could feel so good, so amazingly good.

She closed her eyes and breathed him in. His scent was slightly musky, but with an earthy tinge that only made him more endearing. It wasn't overpowering in the slightest, and she drank him in. She listened to the beat of his heart, feeling the gentle thump against her cheek as his pulse raced beneath it.

He was so warm, yet also solid and oh so real; but she mostly reveled in the security she felt when he held her. She somehow knew that when Luke wrapped her in his arms, she was in a safe haven unlike any other in the whole galaxy. She would not come to harm when Luke held her, and she had never felt so safe...well, not since her mother had once held her in a similar manner as a small child. Nakari felt her lips tingle in remembrance of Luke's mouth on hers. Following some base need, she brought her fingertips to touch her lips, feeling them twitch feather-lightly.

Feeling the urge to taste him once more, Nakari pulled her head back and gazed into his captivating blue eyes, wanting to kiss him again.

When Nakari looked up at him, what she wanted was clear in her eyes—he didn't need the Force to tell him she wanted more. Besides, he did too.

Luke pulled one of his hands free enough to gently tip her head back a little farther, his lips feather-soft on her own as he let his fingers trace down her jaw, along her throat, and then resume their position among her dark curls, taking the time to savor her taste and scent and the feel of her in his arms.

Who would have known that today would go so right?

Nakari quivered at his tender touch; and not just of his lips, though that was a new sensation, what with him taking his sweet time to caress her lips with his in tender embraces. His fingers traced like soft feathers down the line of her jaw, then tickled her throat until he reclaimed her hair.

Nakari smiled against him, and reached up to play with his hair in turn, running her fingers through his silken gold tresses.

A small shiver of warmth shot through Luke as Nakari laced her fingers through his hair in response to his own gentle movements, keeping his own actions gentle and slow as he sensed that she was also enjoying his tender care. Last night was now long forgotten, as was the fact that Artoo was sitting innocently—well, if Luke had the presence of mind to even remember the droid was there he would realize he wasn't sitting quite so innocently after all—in the corner and Anakin could wake up any moment. To Luke, there was only Nakari in his embrace, held securely in his arms as he treated her to any ministration that came to mind that didn't cross the line she'd already established earlier. Vaguely, he wondered if he'd ever have a kiss like this again; he wondered if any kiss in the future would be able to match these first two.

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He didn't know what woke him at first, but he did realize his entire backside and legs were stiff and almost painfully numb. Groaning softly, Anakin shifted where he was, trying to get his groggy mind to focus.

He yawned deeply, stretching his arms...and only then did he register the absence of his son. Anakin looked around to visually confirm it, and he frowned.

That, of course, was when he finally registered what had drawn him steadily out of his sleep. Centered in the cockpit of the Desert Jewel, Anakin could feel a deep well of happiness, joy, and desire, pulsating like a hot white star.

Anakin recognized Luke's presence in the center of it, as well as Nakari's...and he didn't need to see what was happening to know that things between them were obviously better. Anakin smiled gently for his son's happiness, thanked the Force for the moment he'd had with Luke last night, and then tried standing.

He was so stiff he could hardly walk. Deciding that the couple in the front of the ship could use more time and privacy, Anakin turned to the shower and began the hot water, intent on letting it help him relax.

As he stepped under the flow of water, Anakin resolutely blocked the couple in the cockpit, not wanting to intrude on their moment, however unintentionally. Anakin also made a mental note to—down the road—teach Luke to put up a Force-shield for the sake of his and other's privacy.

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Nakari pulled back from his lips once more, but instead of snuggling back against his shoulder, she rested her forehead against his, eyes still closed as she savored their moment.

"Luke..." she murmured.

Luke, who had just placed a tender kiss to Nakari's cheek, hummed low in his chest before he made a vocal reply. "Yes?" he whispered, gently tucking locks of her curls behind her ear as he spoke.

She loved how his breath tickled her cheek when he spoke after his kiss to it.

She pulled back to look him in the eyes, allowing her tentative fear to show. "If we start this," she waved a finger between them for emphasis, "Will...will you ever leave me?"

Luke blinked in surprise, having not expected such a heavy-weighted question so soon, or even now of all times. Gently, Luke stroked her cheek, hoping to wipe the fear from her eyes with the tender caress. "No," he said quietly, holding her gaze with his own. "Never by choice. I'll do everything I can to stay, I promise," Luke murmured. He didn't know what the future would bring, but he could promise to do his best.

Nakari held his steady gaze, gauging his sincerity. His gaze was clear, and he hadn't shown any signs of deceit.

Nakari smiled softly, dropping her gaze to his brand and gently caressing his cheek with her fingertips.

"And I promise never to think any less of you," she returned evenly, moving her fingers with slow movements to the mark on his neck. "No matter the obstacles we face. You are a beautiful person, Luke, scars and all; and I accept you as you are."

Luke sucked in a sharp breath, emotion building up in his chest and causing his throat to close a little. Her fingers tingled where they traced the lines of his neck, sending pleasant chills down his spine. For once, no horrible memory burst to the front of his mind at the contact. He barely managed his small reply of, "Thank you," around the lump in his throat, and he hoped it was enough to convey just how much her words meant to him, leaning into her touch once again and relishing in the comfort that it gave.

Nakari smiled at his choked words of gratitude, and then felt her feelings grow when he leaned into her touch.

She then reversed roles and brought his head to her chest, cradling him to her heart.

Luke allowed the motion, enjoying the comforting embrace and the sound of her rhythmic heartbeat. He didn't cry or anything—he didn't feel ready to be that exposed to Nakari—but he did let out a shaky sigh, pulling Nakari a little closer so they could both enjoy the embrace, eyes fluttering shut as he simply immersed himself in her breathing, her heartbeat, her scent, and her touch, maintaining his embrace the entire time.

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Anakin, now dressed and able to move again, started hesitantly toward the cockpit.

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Sensing Master Anakin's approach, Artoo decided to save him any unnecessary embarrassment. It was almost time for the Desert Jewel's reversion anyway.

He let out a whistle, letting Master Luke know it was almost time for them to drop from lightspeed.

Luke's head lifted slightly at the sound, and he shifted in Nakari's grasp carefully, trying not to disrupt her as he turned to read the display where Artoo's words were. He sighed, a reluctant sound as he didn't want to move and break their moment. "Already?" Luke mumbled. He turned to Nakari again, breathing her in one last time before he placed one last kiss on her lips, letting his mouth linger upon hers before he pulled away. "We're coming out of hyperspace," he told her begrudgingly, reluctantly letting her out of his embrace as he stood to claim the pilot's seat.

Nakari touched his cheek once, and then got down to business. "My father will be glad to have his ship and man back."

Anakin walked in just as Nakari spoke, glad he hadn't interrupted anything. He came to stand just behind Luke.

"We're back?" he asked.

Nakari glanced his way as if she hadn't known he was there. "Yeah; I will give my father the run-down when we arrive and I'll ask him for the funds."

Anakin nodded. "We will probably have to change the outward appearance of the Jewel, so please keep that in mind.''

Nakari nodded, throwing Luke a playful wink. "And we'll need a little extra for a mirror, I hear."

Luke blushed a deep red, coughed, and looked away, choosing to ignore why the mirror needed replacing. He turned back to the controls, setting aside the forgotten plates from earlier. "Ah, right...that..." he cleared his throat. "We should probably start looking through the Rodian catalog for what we want to upgrade the ship with, too."

Anakin grinned at Luke's deflection, but held on while the young man brought the ship out of hyperspace and into the star-studded realspace above Pasher.

True to her word, Nakari sped through all the nitty-gritty with her father, and he set up an account for them to use for the funds he gave them. But only after Artoo was given a chip to make sure the files Nakari's father had given them were actually erased.

He also offered them all a night in Pasher's finest hotel. Glad to be off the ship for even a few hours, they all agreed.

The next morning they rendezvoused at the Jewel, where they began to look into retrofitting the ship, including a new blue and gold color scheme for the Desert Jewel.