Anakin and Nakari followed Luke out if the Desert Jewel on Rodia after landing to place their order with Utheel Outfitters. To everyone's dismay, the Rodian they met was callous and cold, very unlike their first meeting with Taneetch Soonta.

Anakin eyed Luke's attempt to mind-trick the Rodian without success, and he was about to step in when their contact got a call on his comlink. His tune changed instantly and they were led to Soonta, who, after receiving their order and apologizing for the confusion at the landing pad, assured them it would be an excellent opportunity for the company to showcase its abilities.

As promised, the ship was upgraded and ready to fly by the next morning. However, since they didn't fully trust the Rodians, they stopped in a neutral system to scan for any bugs that may have been snuck onboard.

Once the Jewel was deemed clear of any bugs, they returned to the Alliance fleet to receive their mission.

They were now enroute to Denon with instructions to order from a noodle shack—owned by a Kupohan named Sakhet—Corellian buckwheat noodles with, and Anakin blanched at this detail, Rancor Sauce.

Their order would inform Sakhet who they were, and Sakhet would give them the information she could on the Givin prisoner Drusil Bephorin.

Anakin now sat in the pilot's seat while his companions were elsewhere in the ship. He was currently thinking back on the varied reactions of Luke and Nakari to the fact that they would more than likely be required to take Imperial lives on this trip.

Luke hadn't seemed too eager, and indeed even a little uncomfortable about the notion. Nakari, however, hadn't been phased in the slightest.

Anakin himself, being used to the casualties of war, would do what he felt was necessary, and that didn't always mean killing your opponent. It was a good skill to be able to render an enemy temporarily helpless than to just kill them. However, there were times when the kill was the only option.

Anakin trusted Luke to be able to do what he needed to for the success if the mission; the youth knew his boundaries.

The hatch opened behind Anakin, and he glanced back to see Artoo approach. Anakin smiled, grateful for the companionship.

Not that he begrudged Luke and Nakari their newfound relationship, but Anakin missed being able to freely speak with Luke whenever he wanted or needed to.

After all, even the "Hero With No Fear" got lonely sometimes.

"Hi, Artoo," Anakin said softly, patting his metallic friend's dome affectionately.

Nakari and Luke, meanwhile, were curled up on a couch together, with Luke showing Nakari his lightsaber and explaining how it had been his father's before it had been passed onto Luke by Ben or Obi-Wan Kenobi, recounting the stories he knew that were behind some of the scratches along the lightsaber as well as explaining what he knew about how lightsabers worked and were put together. He did his best to keep it interesting, not wanting to bore Nakari with his babble, but also excited to share what he knew with someone—Anakin already knew all of this and was the one teaching Luke. Now, Luke could share what he knew with someone else.

Nakari was far from disinterested, and as she leaned into Luke's warm side, she listened with rapt attention to all of his stories.

When he finished his latest account about his father fighting off a woman named Asajj Ventress, she sat up, looking at him oddly.

Luke cocked an eyebrow at the look the Nakari was giving him, one hand gently running along Nakari's arm in the same soft, tender touch he'd been giving her as he'd spoke. "What's that look for?" he asked curiously, pulling some of her dark curls out of her face.

Nakari looked toward the cockpit. "You said Asajj got him over the right eye?"

Luke, catching where her gaze had traveled, hesitated, his gentle touch to her arm pausing for a moment. He decided to be honest; he didn't want to lie to Nakari, and Anakin and Luke planned on telling her eventually when they thought she wouldn't flip out and mark them as insane for it. He resumed his gentle strokes to her arm, nodding as he ran a thumb over the surface of the lightsaber. "Yes, she did. Two on the left cheek too, though those scars were much less noticeable."

Nakari sat up further, putting some pieces together, and yet...it wasn't possible.

"Luke..." Nakari began, but then she bit her lip, not wanting to sound crazy.

Anakin had the exact scar Luke was talking about. Also, if her suspicions were correct, then that would also explain Luke and Anakin's behavior toward each other.

But...

...it wasn't possible!

She opened her mouth again, looked to Luke, and then stood abruptly, walking toward the cockpit. Though what she planned to do when she arrived she hadn't quite figured out yet.

Luke rose to his feet as soon as Nakari had, a frown on his face as he tucked the lightsaber away yet again while he followed after her, prodding at his father's Force Presence as he followed after Nakari to give the older Skywalker a heads up. "Nakari..." he called, coming to walk just a step behind her.

Anakin noticed the elevated tension, and wondered what was happening now when Luke touched his mind with a somewhat worried warning.

Anakin frowned, turning toward the door as Nakari entered, Luke right behind her and trying unsuccessfully to stop her.

Anakin calmly met Nakari's intent gaze as she stopped and eyed his visage critically. Anakin held still for a moment before he had to wonder if he had something on his face from lunch.

"Is everything okay?" Anakin ventured mildly.

Nakari blinked as if coming out if a daze, and she glared at him, but Anakin could sense the fear behind the action. The woman looked between Luke and Anakin with mounting uncertainty.

"Who are you, Anakin? I mean, who are you really?" Nakari demanded to know.

Anakin flickered a glance toward Luke and sighed softly. "You should probably have a seat, Nakari."

She folded her arms defiantly. "I'll stand, thank you."

Anakin nodded once and then gave it to her straight. "My full name is Anakin Skywalker, and I am Luke's father."

Nakari's jaw dropped, and her mind flew back to the odd puzzle she had been piecing together. Her knees wobbled, threatening to drop her to the floor when she realized Anakin was completely serious.

Luke, concerned, stepped forward and gently took a hold of Nakari's arm to give her support, not wanting her to collapse or anything. He didn't say a word though, knowing she needed a moment to process everything. He waited anxiously for her response, hoping that they hadn't dropped this on her too early; the last thing he wanted was to scare her away just as their relationship was blooming.

Nakari hardly registered Luke's assistance. She was once more focused on Anakin, who was holding up rather well under her scrutiny.

Nakari allowed her gaze to slide to Luke, but then she looked back to Anakin.

"It's not..." she searched for words. "How can this be? You're practically the same age!" She finally exclaimed, unable to bear the taut silence anymore.

She removed her arm from Luke's hold and stepped away, pointing an accusing finger at Anakin.

"And you!" She stated with surety. "You're dead!"

Anakin winced, but kept his voice calm, though he managed a slightly wry smirk. ''Not in my time."

Nakari, who had her mouth open for more rants, froze with her mouth comically open.

"Wh-what?" she finally stuttered.

Luke, who felt wounded at Nakari's retreat even though he'd expected her to react badly to this, restrained himself from taking a step towards her, trying to think of a way to be convincing and totally honest without freaking her out. "I know it sounds crazy and it's hard to believe, but he...he was sent forward in time," Luke said, his voice trailing off and getting quieter as he spoke, knowing Nakari would still deny what he said. "I know it's unbelievable, but he was sent forward in time through the Force. You can ask the Rebellion Leaders that were alive during or involved in the Clone Wars, they would confirm he's the very same Anakin Skywalker. Force, you could even do a blood test on the two of us and it would show that he's my father."

Meanwhile, in the back of his mind, he was praying to the Force that she wasn't about to up and leave them—leave him—because of this. He was halfway convinced she would already.

Nakari looked to Luke, seeing that she had hurt him by pulling back. She felt guilty for that, but she searched his face deeply as she had before their arrival on Pasher.

He was being honest. As for Anakin, she had no reason to think he was toying with her. Besides, he looked exactly like the hero her father had shown her a holo of once. Nakari didn't know why she hadn't put the facts together before.

And...Anakin's face and demeanor were utterly calm and open to her, just like Luke's.

Nakari sighed, stepping back up to Luke. "I believe you. I don't understand it, but I trust you."

Luke let out a long breath of relief, wrapping Nakari up in his arms, chin resting on her head. "It's a lot to take in, and I'm not sure either of us understand it completely yet either," he said quietly, holding his father's gaze over Nakari's head.

Anakin smiled softly at his son, nodding once and then turning back to face the viewport.

Nakari turned about. "I'm sorry if I was rude, I just...I don't know."

Anakin threw her a patient smile over his shoulder. "I'd say you took it better than I did when I learned the truth."

Nakari lifted an eyebrow, but didn't comment as she made to leave the cockpit.

Luke didn't leave with her, instead giving her space to process everything that was bound to come with the information she'd just been given. He stared after her for a few heartbeats before he sat down in the copilot's seat, running a hand through his hair. "That was my fault. I think I shared one too many stories about you with her," Luke said sheepishly, patting Artoo's dome instinctively when the droid wheeled up to him.

Anakin waved Luke's apology away. "We wanted to tell her anyway, and it was better now than later; this way you can be open and honest with Nakari."

Luke smiled softly, staring at the stars in front of him. "That will be nice..." he murmured before he turned back to Anakin. "Though we haven't talked much recently; it bothers me," Luke mentioned with a frown. As much as he liked spending time with Nakari, he loved the time spent with his father, and he didn't want to squander any of it.

Anakin felt his heart lighten, and he smiled warmly, even as he continued gazing at the mottled view of hyperspace.

"I remember what it was like when your mother and I first got together," he said softly. "So I understand."

Luke blushed at that statement, scratching his neck and clearing his throat. "Ah, well...still. Nakari will be around for quite some time..." Luke suddenly got very quiet. "We don't know how long you'll be here..."

Anakin closed his eyes. "I know," he whispered.

He bit his lip, unsure of what to say next. He still wanted to teach Luke to shield, but he didn't want his son to feel awkward.

Then again , the shields would be important for his and Nakari's sakes.

Anakin just didn't know how to bring it up...

Luke shifted a little bit, not wanting the awkwardness that had suddenly appeared to grow and fester. He cleared his throat, bringing up something his father and Luke could always relate over. "Maybe we could get back to those lessons I'm supposed to be having?"

Anakin shook himself out of his stupor. "Sure." He sensed Luke's unease and sighed, turning to face him.

"Luke, I'm sorry if I've been distant or if I've seemed unapproachable," he said, giving Luke's arm a squeeze. "I'm grateful for every moment we have together. And when I got to hold you on the refresher floor, as sad as those circumstances were, I was completely happy just to hold my son."

Anakin's voice choked off at that last, and he looked down, clearing his throat. "I'll be honest: I've missed being able to spend time freely with you and not having to share." He looked back to Luke. "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you. I'm not jealous, just...well, I guess I don't want to lose any time with you because you're right; we have no idea when I'll be taken back."

There were no words for the moment. Anakin had practically laid out Luke's fear between them and touched him deeply at the same time, and the most Luke found himself capable of doing was reaching out and taking his father into a tight, loving embrace. "Thank you," he eventually managed to say. "I love you, Father..."

Anakin clutched Luke to him just as tightly, thanking the Force for his wonderful son.

It also opened the door for him to share his concerns.

"Luke, I need to talk to you about something," Anakin said seriously.

Luke frowned, but did not pull back on his embrace. "What is it?" he asked, concern dripping in his tone.

Anakin did pull back and he took hold of Luke's forearm.

"I don't want to embarrass you, but I want to teach you how to create a Force Shield," Anakin told him. "The other day, when you and Nakari made up, I could feel your emotions, your moment."

Anakin held up a hand to halt any outburst from Luke. "Let me finish: I didn't feel details or anything," he soothed, seeing the look on his son's face.

"But," Anakin lowered his hand, never dropping his gaze from Luke's. "What if it hadn't been me that felt you? Now, I understand that there aren't many Force Sensitives around in this timeline, but there are two very important ones to keep in mind."

Anakin paused to see if Luke was following. "Vader and the Emperor, Luke. I don't know much of the Emperor, but I can tell you that Darth Vader wouldn't hesitate to use Nakari against you if he found out about your relationship. You need to learn to shield, Luke. And while it's good for your guys' privacy, it's also a form of protection."

Anakin now placed his hands on Luke's shoulders. "You need to protect Nakari: help keep her safe from Vader by keeping her shielded. She wouldn't stand a chance against a Sith Lord, nor is she Force Sensitive. So it's up to you to keep her safe in vulnerable moments like that one in the cockpit."

Luke's posture straightened at his father's words. As embarrassing and slightly alarming as it had been to hear Anakin had also felt Luke and Nakari's moment to a degree, he also understood the severity of what Anakin was saying. It was a horrifying thought to think that Vader could sense such moments as well, and Luke balked and even tremored slightly from a little anger at the thought of Nakari in Vader's clutches used against him. He pushed all of that aside for later, however, and gave his father a sharp nod. If it meant protecting his loved ones—and giving Nakari and himself some privacy and sparing all of them some embarrassment—then he was all too eager to start learning.

Anakin was glad to see Luke was taking his advice to heart. "Good. Have a seat and we will get started. These shields can also be used in general to hide your presence, like I did when fighting Vader over Yavin."

Anakin sat down in the pilot's seat and waited for Luke to follow suit.

Luke's thoughts turned to Nakari as he took the copilot's seat, hoping she wouldn't wonder where he went or get too concerned. And if she wandered back to the cockpit, he wouldn't mind her observing, even if she wouldn't be able to see anything. He nodded to his father, signaling for Anakin to continue.

"Using a Force shield is sort of like wearing green clothes and hiding in a patch of tall grass," Anakin began. "You're still there, but you are less visible because you're now camouflaged."

He looked to Luke. "I want you to open up to me and feel my presence."

Luke nodded again, opening himself to his father—an act that was practically instinct by now. He didn't let himself get too comfortable as he was well aware something was probably about to change. Anakin liked surprising Luke like that.

Anakin waited until Luke was ready. "Now, watch how I become practically invisible." And then he steadily began to withdraw and hide his presence in the Force until he was all but invisible. "Can you sense me now?"

Luke blinked in surprise. "No, I can't." And he felt rather uneasy being unable to sense Anakin. He was used to the comforting presence always being there. At least, however, he knew Anakin was still right in front of him and wouldn't remain hidden in the Force

Anakin slowly revealed and unraveled his hidden presence, letting his Force Signature bloom back to full life. He then reopened his eyes and stretched out to Luke in the Force. "I'll take you through the process step by step," he said softly, not wanting to break Luke from his connection. "Follow my lead..."

Luke calmed himself down, taking slow even breaths as he let Anakin's presence guide him through the motions of pulling his presence to himself. It was actually rather difficult, like pulling strands of sand. It was gradually getting easier though, so that the strands of sand became like ribbons as he got a better grasp on his presence. His father's presence helped him immensely, and Luke felt he was making greater strides than if he'd been going through the process alone.

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

Nakari sat on the same couch she and Luke had been sitting on before she had barged in on Anakin. Anakin Skywalker...Luke's father.

Father.

She still didn't understand how—let alone why—Anakin had been sent forward, but she supposed that if the Force, Luke, and Anakin had wanted it, then who was she to argue?

She looked to the cushion Luke had occupied, feeling bad about how she had hurt him. She also missed his comforting side to snuggle against.

He was always so sweet, so gentle with her, and now she had hurt him twice. Nakari sighed, running a hand over the now-empty cushion.

Determined to make it up to him, Nakari stood and meandered back to the cockpit. She noted that things had been eerily silent since she had left it earlier, and she wondered what the duo was up to.

She stepped through the cockpit door, which was still open, and froze, mouth open to speak. Facing each other with their eyes closed, noses scrunched slightly in concentration, were Luke and Anakin.

Nakari frowned. They weren't talking, or touching, they were just...sitting there. What were they doing? Nakari wondered if they were in fact quite busy, and she—being Force blind—just couldn't feel it.

She looked between the two men, recalling how she'd found them together in the refresher. It now made much more sense why Luke seemed to defer to Anakin often, or turned to him for comfort or advice.

Nakari knew they were close, and she was happy that Luke had that.

However, as she continued to watch, Nakari felt sorrow touch her heart. Before she could disrupt her companions, Nakari retreated, silently nursing her remembered grief as she moved away.

Nakari felt a small surge of jealousy that Luke had his father from the past, and how he could now bond with his father and have Anakin hold him and offer the comfort that only a parent could.

If the Force could send Anakin—who was supposed to be dead in this time—to Luke, why couldn't she see her mother again?

What was so special about Luke and Anakin that Nakari and her mother hadn't had?

Catching the direction of her thoughts, Nakari shoved them away with a grimace of shame. How could she think such a thing about Luke?

He had never been so callous with her, and it more than likely hadn't been either Anakin's or Luke's choice in what had occurred.

Nakari sighed, arriving in the bunk room without really realizing that she had been going there. She had just been aimlessly wandering.

But now that she was there, she removed her outer shirt and turned around to show her left shoulder blade.

There, visible around the straps if her tank-top undershirt, was a tattoo, one she'd had done after her mother's death.

It was a small, flying bird made of a treble clef and music notes with the whole feel of the bird and notes in flight in a breeze.

She had chosen the music design to honor her mother's love of singing. The bird...Nakari hated how childish it seemed, but she sometimes felt as though her mother had just...left. That wasn't what had happened, of course, but she still had trouble some days accepting the absence of someone she'd loved so dearly.

Nakari touched the tattoo with quivering fingers, her gaze blurring with silent tears that soon spilled over, and she closed her eyes against the painful memories of her loss.

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

Luke's concentration was broken by a sudden, strong sense of sorrow; a feeling neither he nor Anakin was the source of. Unable to ignore it once he realized it was Nakari and unable to regain his focus around it, Luke stopped what he was doing. He'd been making pretty good strides of progress, but felt this was important. Upset he had to cut the time short with his father, Luke opened his eyes and stood up.

"That's Nakari," he said, probably needlessly. "I'm going to go see what's wrong, but we'll pick this back up another time, right?" Luke asked, waiting for his father's response before he moved.

"Yes," Anakin waved. "Go, she needs you."

Luke nodded and left the cockpit, making his way to the cockpit with quick strides. When he reached the door of Nakari's bunk, he knocked lightly. "Nakari?" he asked, slowly opening the door when he heard no reply or even a twinge of acknowledgement through the Force, thinking she must not have heard him.

Nakari was standing in front of a mirror, fingers tracing a tattoo on her shoulder blade of a bird flying away on music notes, a few of the symbols making up the bird as well. Tears were silently making their way down her face, and Luke's heart ached to see her in pain. He took a hesitant step inside, the door sliding shut behind him. "Nakari..." he repeated, his voice now filled with sympathy and concern as he approached her, refraining from touching her lest he startle her.

Nakari lifted her watery gaze toward Luke. She could see his concern...and suddenly she needed to be held. Letting out a choked-off sob, Nakari stepped up to Luke and leaned against him.

Startled but not in the least bit deterred, Luke wrapped his arms securely around Nakari, allowing her to seek him out for the comfort she obviously needed. Gently he stroked her curls, murmuring words of reassurance in her ear as he held her close to his heart and started to gently rock her, swaying in place to do so standing up.

Nakari buried her face into his chest and wept, grateful for the security of his arms and that he hadn't rejected her. She clung to his tunic and allowed his gentle care to soothe her.

Luke kept his gentle caress constant, placing a tender kiss upon the crown of her head. "It's all right...I'm here now," he soothed her, completely complacent with the fact she was soaking his tunic. Though he still had no idea what had caused the break down in the first place. Despite his lack of knowing what was happening he stayed vigilant, holding and comforting her with everything he had.

Nakari managed a weak smile at his tender words, his kiss, though she didn't lift her head. She finished crying and simply stayed where she was, breathing him in and wondering at how Luke could get to her like he did.

She took a long, shuddering breath and turned her head to place her ear to his heart. Its steady, sure rhythm brought her back to reality and she began to speak in a whisper-soft voice.

"Don't ever take the moments with your father—no matter how insignificant they may seem at the time—for granted." She sniffled and held him tighter. "Because you never know when he will be taken away from you."

Luke winced, a sharp pain lancing his heart as his embrace tightened a little. "I don't plan on wasting any of it. Technically...I've already lost him." Luke cleared his throat, opening up about the fear that Luke and Anakin had only touched on in passing. Tears stung his eyes, and it was hard to speak...but he managed. "My father was betrayed and murdered by Darth Vader the day I was born, possibly before I was born, too. He's only been here with me for a few months, since a few days before the battle of Yavin. and I have to live with the fear that one of these days I'll wake up and he won't be here, and I'll have lost my last family tie...lost my father again. The terrifying thing is...we both know that eventually it is going to happen, and we'll never be ready for it..."

Nakari pulled back, seeing she had caused him unintended pain. She looked away. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something painful for you."

Luke smiled weakly, caressing her cheek. "It's all right; it's been something hanging above both Anakin and myself, but neither of us has said anything about it...and it needed to be said."

Nakari closed her eyes and leaned into his caress on her cheek. After a time she stepped back from him, turned her left shoulder to face him more, and took his hand from her cheek and guided it to her tattoo, where she pressed his fingers to the design.

Luke glanced at her, reminded of when he'd run her hand along his brand. He still kept his collar high in public, but around Nakari and his father...he wasn't so worried about the brand showing.

Putting those thoughts out of his mind, Luke ran gentle fingers along the tattoo, tracing the lines of the design, the wings of the bird and the edges of the notes as he pushed away any stray thoughts that tried to enter his mind while he caressed the exposed skin of her shoulder blade. He was just as tender with her tattoo as she had been with his brand.

"The Empire murdered my mother over a song," she said bitterly, even as she fought the feelings Luke's tender movements were evoking. "It was controversial, and spoke of Vader...and I guess he wanted to prove his lack of a sense of humor."

She bit her lip. "Well, she wasn't killed right away, but she and her group were sent to the spice mines of Kessel. And everyone in the galaxy knows that was a death sentence."

Realization fell over Luke, and his gentle caress turned comforting. "I'm sorry..." he murmured, his brow furrowing. "That's why you joined the Alliance, isn't it?"

At her confirming nod, Luke allowed himself to open up a little further, eyes glazing over. "The Empire did the same kind of thing to me. They killed my aunt and uncle while trying to recover the Death Star plans, burned them to death by the state the farm was in...There was nothing left for me on Tatooine after that..."

Nakari turned back around and took his hand in hers, entwining their fingers. "I'm sorry for your loss, Luke. I'm sure, if they're the ones that raised you, they were wonderful people." Then she frowned. "Wait, so you weren't raised by your mother then?"

Luke shook his head mournfully, holding her hand just a little tighter. "No...I never knew my mother...she died the day I was born, too...I would have never even known her name if this entire ordeal with Anakin hadn't happened..."

Nakari felt her heart go out to Luke. Orphaned completely... she couldn't compare. Nakari placed a tender palm to his cheek, looking deeply into his cerulean eyes. "I'm certain she would be proud of the man you've become."

Luke met her gaze, feeling his heart warm at her statement. "I hope so...Anakin tells me as much as he can about her, though he still has to find a holo of her to show me." Luke sighed, covering Nakari's hand with his own and leaning into her tender touch. "He misses her terribly; he was just about to see her again after being gone months in the war—the Clone Wars—when he was sent forward in time. And he doesn't know when he'll see her again."

Luke's smile turned a little bitter-sweet. "He's really made all of this a little easier for me...I couldn't imagine trying to get through the past few months in one piece without him, and I wouldn't know nearly as much about the Jedi as I do now without him. I'd be on my own in, well...all of this..."

Nakari nodded. "My father hides it well, but he too misses my mother." Nakari gave him a brave smile. "Maybe the Force knew you both needed something from his time here." She shrugged. "I don't know how it works, but I'm sure there's a good reason for it."

Nakari's smile faltered. "I'm actually a little jealous that you get this special time with Anakin. But that's childish, and it's a horrible thing for me to say."

Luke cupped her face in his hands, gently stroking a thumb across her cheek. "At least you were able to know your mother for a few years without fearing she would disappear the next day; I would treasure each and every one of those moments and keep them in your heart at all times," Luke told her sincerely. "And I understand the jealousy; I felt it on several occasions when I saw children with their parents, and my Uncle wouldn't tell me anything about my parents. I don't think of you any less for it."

Nakari smiled gratefully. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm glad we were brought together."

Luke smiled, his heart feeling much lighter after this heart-to-heart with Nakari. He gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, running his fingers through her curls for a moment. He pulled away, his smile gaining a sly edge. "Well...now you know just how messed up my life is; are you sure you can keep up with all of it?" he teased her gently, an arm around her waist.

Nakari bumped his hip with hers playfully. "I guess if I have to. But then, you're pretty darn cute, so I think I'll keep you around..."

Luke's smile turned goofy, flattered by the compliment. "You don't look too bad yourself..."

Inwardly he winced at how corny he sounded. Oh well, sometimes corny was the best available.

Nakari laughed outright at his corny comeback, and rested her forehead on his. "A comedian too, eh? I like that."

He rolled his eyes. "I think my jokes could use some work," he replied. "Unfortunately my humor's mostly sarcasm by now; too much time around Han Solo and my father, I think."

He couldn't even begin to explain how great it felt to finally be able to openly call Anakin his father around Nakari.

Nakari dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Ah, but sometimes sarcasm is all we really have."

Luke chuckled. "Yes, and I'm finding Skywalkers can be rather fluent in it. Especially Anakin."

Anakin chose that moment to raise his voice to be heard outside the cockpit, highlighting Luke's point.

"Gee thanks, Artoo! That helped so much!"

The pair listened to Artoo rattle off a raspberry in response, and Anakin replied just as sourly.

"I did not! If I didn't know any better, I'd think you've been hanging around Threepio too long!"

Nakari didn't bother to hide her wide grin as she looked to Luke. "Are they always like this?"

Luke laughed openly, shaking his head. "Oh, you have no idea!"

Still chuckling, he kissed her cheek, helping her get her outer tunic back on before he put an arm around her waist once again, leading her back to the cockpit.

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

Anakin guided the Desert Jewel to a rooftop berth on the edge of what was known as the Grammill district, which bordered the Lodos district where their Givin target was.

Anakin set the ship down smoothly, glancing to Luke in the co-pilot's seat, and then Nakari. Rubbing his hands together in mock eagerness, Anakin threw them a slap-happy grin to set the mood.

"So, who's ready to delve into that rancor sauce?"

Nakari pulled a sour face, making Anakin laugh. "Please, uhg; I don't even want to think of that nastiness were supposed to ask for."

Luke sighed, already catching where this was going. "I'll order...so long as I get to eat off of your plates, because I will not be eating that stuff."

Anakin's grin grew and he allowed an evil glint to spark in his eyes. "And if I refuse to share?"

Luke did his best to look as innocent as he could, turning to Nakari. "Will you share with me if the mean man refuses?" he pleaded, proud of his facade.

Nakari decided to take Anakin's side and see how far Luke would go to get a bite of 'normal' food.

"Maybe; what's it worth to you?"

Luke took a step closer, the innocent expression on his face becoming much slyer as he wound an arm around her waist and pulled Nakari close to him, trapping her in his embrace. "I don't know, how about you tell me?" Luke murmured in her ear, running his fingers through her curls like he knew she loved and gently kissing her jaw as he spoke, moving up towards her lips.

Nakari sucked on a breath at Luke's ministrations and she half-heartedly tried to resist on principal, but she was having trouble remembering her argument.

"Not fair..." she finally muttered.

Anakin blushed when Nakari shuddered with pleasure, and he looked away, trying to be inconspicuous. He squirmed in his seat at her words, wishing he had a way to get out without being obvious.

"Thank you," he said sincerely with a grin, giving her a lingering kiss on the lips before he pulled away. When Nakari looked decently less flustered, Luke chuckled, glancing at his father who was doing his best to make himself inconspicuous. "You're clear now," Luke told him with a grin.

Anakin threw him a look. "Let's go."

The noodle store their informant ran ended up being a small vendor in the northwest corner of a public plaza called Sakhet's Noodles. It was apparently a very popular place to eat, because the line was painfully long, with Luke, Nakari, and Anakin taking their place at the way end of the line. When they finally reached the front of the line, Luke took in the sight of two Kupohans working in the small building. He recounted Anakin and Nakari's orders of buckwheat noodles with nerf nuggets, and then ordered the Corellian buckwheat with rancor sauce. There was no outward sign of Luke's order being unusual other than a small twitch of the Kupohan's basal ear. She scribbled on an old fashioned paper ticket, took his credits, and produced a receipt that she promptly scrawled on. Luke was starting to fear that he would in fact be given something with rancor sauce on it.

"Order number eighty-nine," the Kupohan said with a wet sniff through her nostrils—an action that didn't help Luke's appetite at all. "Don't forget your receipt, friend. Pick up your food at the window around the corner."

"Thanks," Luke replied, and the group shuffled out of the way of the line. Down at the bottom of the receipt in Luke's hand in tiny script were the words Return at 0900 tomorrow.

Luke showed Anakin and Nakari the ticket. "I doubt they'll be selling noodles that early," Nakari commented.

"I agree; should give us plenty of time to talk."

"So what do we do now? I've done some shady things for my dad before, but never something quite like this."

"We follow through and get our noodles. We're just three hungry humans out for a bite."

"Excellent. I'm going to take a holo when you try the rancor sauce."

"Oh...yeah...right," Luke muttered, his stomach turning while Anakin chuckled at him. "I'm not that hungry, actually."

She smiled at Luke. "Don't worry, I already said you could have some of the food off my plate."

Luke's lips twitched towards a smirk. "That sounds wonderful."

Their conversation was cut short as they heard their order, and Luke approached the window to gather their orders, flashing his receipt as he approached. The Kupohan at the window—a third he hadn't noticed before—took a look at it and thanked him, pushing forward three hot cartons and disposable eating sticks.

"Don't worry," she said in a low voice, her four dark eyes glittering with amusement. "We just gave you three orders of the nerf nuggets."

"Thanks," Luke said, truly grateful. "See you around."

He returned to the group, handing out the boxes and eating utensils. "Good news—I was given real food; no one has to share," he said cheerfully as they approached a table they had just seen open—the only table available by the looks of it.

Nakari mock-pouted. "Awe, and I was so looking forward to snapping that holo."

Anakin laughed. "Maybe we can sneak some rancor sauce into another of his dishes down the road and have the camera nearby when he eats it unsuspectingly."

Nakari brightened instantly, waving her eating utensil at him eagerly, well aware they were plotting with Luke right there in front of them.

"I am liking this plan!"

"Hey, hey, hey," Luke protested. "If you're going to plot something so cruel, at least have the decency not to do it in front of me," he said with a smile and a shake of his head, popping open his food container.

Nakari sniffed haughtily at him. "Spoilsport."

Anakin leaned in to whisper loudly to her behind Luke's back once they were seated. "Is this better?"

Luke jabbed an eating utensil at them, grinning. "You two are horrible. If I even had a grasp on telekinesis, I'd fling noodles at you." He grinned mischievously as he spoke, poking at his nerf nuggets.

Nakari grinned, unafraid. "I accept your challenge," she said as she set one of her noodles on the table. "Move the noodle; hit me with the deadly weapon."

Luke blinked, startled. "What? Here? Now? I wasn't serious...I couldn't even lift the two soggy vegetables I went after on Rodia."

She lifted a challenging eyebrow while Anakin looked on with great interest.

"Maybe you didn't have the right motivation," she said slyly, running a finger down his arm before she turned more serious. "I believe you can do this, Luke. It doesn't have to run a marathon, just...move it back toward the plate."

Luke shivered a little at her touch but shook his head, eyeing the noodle dubiously. "I don't know...we've been trying for months and I can't seem to move anything more than a little wobble," he started to say, but the look in her eyes had him sighing in defeat and casting a wary eye around them. "All right, fine, I'll try to move the noodle..." he muttered, closing his eyes and stretching out to the force. He cast away his insecure and negative emotions, focusing instead on the warm encouragement he could sense coming from both Nakari and Anakin as he stretched out towards the noodle.

Anakin waited with baited breath for his son to succeed as he knew Luke could. Anakin also made sure there weren't any prying eyes peeking while Luke was so focused.

As for Nakari, she kept a close watch on the noodle.

Luke found his calm center and let their encouragement wash over him as he felt the noodle in the Force, imagining the noodle scooting across the surface and willing it to happen, seeing the noddle slither towards Nakari in his mind's eye.

Anakin and Nakari saw it at the same time, and they threw wide grins at each other before Nakari clapped Luke into a brief, one-armed hug.

"You did it!" she exulted. "It moved!"

"That was very impressive," Anakin agreed.

Luke opened his eyes, shocked. "What?"

Sure enough, the noodle was next to her plate in an entirely new spot. He gapped at the noddle, disbelieving. "You didn't move it, did you?" he asked, skeptical that after all this time he finally moved something with the Force.

Nakari gave him an affronted look. "Of course not!" She socked his arm mildly. "I may tease, but I know where the line is, Luke!"

The significance of the moment slowly started to fall over Luke, and he stared at the noodle. "Incredible...I did it," he said, still in shock as his brain processed what he'd just done.

Anakin patted his shoulder proudly. "Yes you did. I'm proud of you, Son."

Luke perked up at the praise, beaming at his father and Nakari. "Thanks," he said sincerely. He felt their encouragement had made a huge difference, and now that he'd gotten around his block he was eager to progress in his telekinesis

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Once they were finished with their meal they secured two rooms at a hotel and Anakin bid Luke and Nakari goodnight, telling Luke as a side note to be careful and behave.

Anakin also reminded Artoo to keep an eye on Luke and Nakari for him before he departed to his room three doors down.

Once he was settled in bed, Anakin realized just how tired he was. He bid Padmé a silent goodnight across the distance that separated them and slid into unconsciousness.

Nakari sat on the edge of one of the two beds, looking to Luke.

"I don't know much about this Force of yours, but after you two healing me and everything after, I'm a believer." She cocked her head curiously. "So, you really want to be a Jedi? What else can the Force do?"

Luke sighed and sat down on his own bed, pulling off his outer tunic and kicking off his boots. "Well..." he started, pulling out his lightsaber and setting it on the nightstand. "It can guide my actions with the lightsaber and tell me where to put the blade so I can redirect a blaster shot or I guess if I should ever need to, where to put the blade to block another lightsaber. I get...premonitions, you could say, sometimes in the form of a feeling, a sense of danger, a nudge to go one way instead of another, the sense to back off or avoid someone...sometimes I could have dreams that are...well...more than normal dreams. Anakin and I can have basic communications through the Force, sharing of feelings and sensations for communication instead of actual words. If I was in trouble, he would know. When I was...captured...he sensed it, but he was stuck with his own Imperial group to fight off and couldn't help. I've shared some of my memories with him. It's really difficult to do though, and very, very taxing, especially in the state I was in at the time."

Shuddering and not wanting to talk about such a dark subject, Luke directed his explanation away from that particular time in his life. "You already know about the healing and the telekinesis..." Luke shook his head. "There's a lot we can do with the Force. It...moves through us, binds us together—binds everything in the universe together—and when we're calm, we can hear or feel what it wants us to do. I controls us just as we can control it. But we also have to be careful, because not all of it is good."

Luke hesitated. "I...haven't been taught much about it...Anakin just mentioned it in passing, probably because it's a sensitive subject for him...but there are two sides to the Force; the dark side and the light. The light would be what Anakin and I use, while the dark would be what Vader uses. We have to avoid feelings of anger and hate, even fear, because they could lead us into that darkness, and we may never come out if we go too deep, if we fall. We could be seduced by the darkness as Obi-Wan would probably say. From the way Anakin's talked, you may not have even realized you delved into the dark side until it's too late..." Luke said, his eyes distant as he stared off into some unknown spot.

Nakari listened intently, also hearing some of his unspoken thoughts. She leaned forward toward him some.

"And...you fear that you could also walk that darker path?" she guessed gingerly, not wanting to upset him. However, she felt that he needed to talk about this, so she stoked the subject to life.

Once more, Luke hesitated. "I...I don't really know. I haven't had any experience with facing the dark side of the Force beyond sensing Vader's presence and seeing Anakin get rather furious a few times. I know it's possible, I mean...those feelings that can lead to the dark side, we all have them. I've been afraid before—I've been terrified before. I've been angry, though not nearly as angry as I've already seen Anakin a few times. I worry about what might happen one day if, like Anakin said, I don't realize what's happened, what I'm doing, until it's too late..."

Nakari hesitated also, but managed to plow on gingerly. "You've...ah, mentioned your father quite a few times in there..." Nakari studied his body language. "Has...has Anakin ever...used this dark power?"

Luke sighed softly. "Yes, he has, though only ever in situations where he's been under extreme emotional distress from what I've heard. When he found me in that Imperial Interrogation Room for one, or when he saw what they did to me...or when his mother died...that's all I know about."

Nakari shuddered, morbidly curious, but she wasn't sure Luke wanted to delve deeper into that, so she chose a different line of thought.

"You know, it's not a crime to experience emotion," she told him gently.

"Well, I'm sure about that...Anakin's lightly complained a few times about the Jedi Order not wanting the Jedi to feel anything, but to me it sounds more like...the Jedi are supposed to be able to control those emotions, so that they can avoid the dark side when temptation comes and keep their head in stressful situations. To be able to do what's right despite...personal cost that may result," Luke added quietly, leaning back against the headboard of his bed. "We're all sentient living beings—we can't just not feel."

Nakari smiled at him. "Exactly. And if you can hold on to that mentality, then I don't think you will have to worry much about becoming like Vader. You're a good person, Luke."

Nakari pursed her lips as another question came to mind.

"If I may ask, what were you and Anakin doing in the cockpit after I demanded his full name?"

Luke smiled softly at her comment, taking it to heart and storing it away for another day as he turned to face her. "Guess that's something I forgot to mention among the long list. He was teaching me how to shield myself from other Force Users, from Vader. To hide my emotions or my presence so they don't show up in the Force." He pursed his lips. "That reminds me of another ability I forgot to mention—pain suppression. Anakin taught me the basics to suppress pain, to numb it and draw strength from the Force if I need to. Needless to say, that's already come in handy before."

Nakari whistled, but the mention of pain and healing reminded her of something else Anakin had done.

"And the lightning Anakin created?" she wondered aloud. "I suppose that's a much more advanced technique...but I wonder at the odd color it was."

Luke shrugged. "I don't know—I'm still just a beginner. I don't think even Anakin knew he could do that. I guess sometimes things just...happen without really thinking about it. I saw an entire metal pan fold in on itself once when Anakin was angry, and he wasn't even aware he was doing it. I haven't had a moment like that myself so far...that I'm aware of."

Nakari nodded. "That does make sense."

She fell silent for a time, watching Luke as he rested upon the bed. Their talk on the Jewel returned to her, and she felt compelled to speak.

"Luke?" Her voice was quiet, and mildly earnest.

Luke turned his head to face her, still having yet to get under the covers. "Yes?"

"Thank you...for being there when I needed you...when I told you about my mother and all..." Nakari said with a soft smile.

Luke's expression grew serious and he propped himself up on his elbow. "Of course; whenever you need me."

She nodded, leaning forward to place a hand over one of his. "And anytime you need me, I'll be there."

Luke glanced down at her hand, turning his palm over so that he could tenderly hold her hand in his and lift it to his lips. "I wouldn't doubt it."

He felt sure that with Anakin and Nakari, he might just be able to navigate through the craziness of the galaxy.

Nakari's smile widened at his kiss, and she moved closer to give him a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Goodnight."

Luke returned the kiss, placing his gently on her cheek. "Goodnight, Nakari," he murmured in response, squeezing her hand lightly before he allowed her to pull away, shifting under his covers.

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Nakari stepped into the refresher to change and clean up before she returned to the bed in the dim light from her small lamp. As she pulled the sheets back, she happened to glance toward Luke, who was already fast asleep.

He was still facing her direction, and so she was afforded a view of his relaxed face. She allowed her gaze to linger on his visage, loving the way his lips parted just so. Nakari recalled with vivid detail how wonderful his soft mouth had felt against hers...and how he had teasingly trailed kisses up her jawline...his gentle fingertips caressing her cheeks, or how he loved to run his fingers through her dark curls...

Nakari shook herself when Luke shifted slightly in his slumber, a few locks of his baby-soft hair falling out of place.

Before she could stop herself, Nakari stepped close and reached out to the strands...but paused just shy of actually touching them, hesitant.

She saw he hadn't stirred at her proximity though, and so she lovingly tucked a few of the rogue hairs behind his ear.

Lastly, Nakari bent forward and placed a feather-light kiss to his exposed cheek. To her surprise, Luke turned his head and, still deeply asleep, met her mouth with the barest of caresses.

Nakari's heart fluttered intensely at the unconscious reaction, and pulled back. She crawled into her own bed with a luminous smile, shutting off the light and letting sleep claim her.