Playlist:

❶ "Jessica's Sonata"—The Man from Snowy River OST

❷ "Max and Liesel"—The Book Thief OST

❸ "Marion's Theme"—Raiders of the Lost Ark OST

The next morning Luke administered Ben's diagnostic exams in his study while constructing his new lightsaber. Luke chose a dark emerald this time and shaped it for the device with meticulous care. He remembered the last time he built a saber in Obi-Wan's house on Tatooine right before he rescued Han. 

Wish the Empire hadn't destroyed all those Kyber crystals when they built the Death Stars. He struggled with the assembly for a few seconds. Then again, we wouldn't be able to adjust the power if they hadn't. He tightened the power regulator with a Pilex driver and then nestled the crystal into the optics seat.

Every once in a while, Ben stared out the window. "Get to work, Ben. You must remain focused, or you will never succeed," Luke said with a look of admonishment. Maybe he'll settle down when he's a little older. Not even Zeke was this young when he started here.

The Jedi Master shook his head and returned to his own work, soldering the electrical connections in the hilt, the odor of melting metal permeating the study.

A few days later, after Luke had finished constructing the new lightsaber, he received notification that his new hand was ready. Naluma dreaded his departure—her Force dream had returned over the last few nights, and she knew it would come to pass when Luke was not here.

Each time the vision assaulted her, Luke would go to her chamber on the other side of the complex and wake her out of the dream. Every night, every vision, every time.

Two nights before he left, he sat on the edge of her bed and held her head to his chest. "Naluma, was Ben in your vision?"

She nodded, not daring to tell him what she saw.

"How many Padawan and Jedi this time?"

"More than we have right now, but I know it was here, Luke, on the new temple site." Her lips quivered as her eyes hardened in fear. "Don't leave."

"Naluma, my new hand will be ready in a few days."

"Take Ben with you."

"Be serious. You know that would not be good for him to leave so soon after arriving. He's still settling in."

Naluma stared him down, her Force-vision still palpable in her mind.

Luke rubbed her back, his strong fingers kneading into her tense shoulders. "Look, it's not going to happen yet. Don't let fear paralyze you."

She lifted her head. "But what about Ben? He's already causing problems among the Padawan, levitating all the time, playing jokes, even manipulating his roommates to do his chores."

"Zeke can handle him."

"No, he can't. I've had to intervene twice already," Naluma said with a scowl.

Luke grabbed her shoulder. "He's just trying to find his place here. I'll talk to him before I leave."

Naluma crossed her arms and shrugged off Luke's hand. "Ben's got you wrapped around his finger, Luke. He's manipulating you, just like he's manipulating the rest of the Padawan."

"Where's your compassion? The kid's ripped away from all he knows, shoved into a school he doesn't want to be at with a bunch of older kids, abandoned by his family—the others came by their own choice." Luke sighed and shook his head at her. "At least give him a chance to get used to his new life."

Not wanting to fight any longer, Naluma nodded with reluctance, lowering her arms in defeat.

Luke pulled her into his arms, feeling awkward without his right hand to rest against her back. "Try to get along with him. Be a friend. He needs one right now, more than he needs a drill instructor."

She nodded.

"I won't be gone that long. Three weeks tops."

"Three weeks?"

"Madine found out I'd be on Zaxyn. He told the Senate. Have to make a report."

She traced her fingers across his chest. "He's always taking you away from me."

Luke stood. "Sorry."

As he left, Naluma stared at the wall, wondering if Ben had deceived Luke or if the Force had illuminated him. She only had her gut instinct and the warnings of the Force-vision that insisted trusting Ben would lead to catastrophe.

The next day when Naluma returned to her quarters after advanced saber, she found a bouquet of wildflowers in a square jar from Luke. She opened the card with it quickly while smiling.

My love, before Madine steals me away,
would you please join me
for an intimate dinner in my study tonight at 1800?
-Luke.

Ranging out with the Force, she found him sitting in the chapel with Ben. Thanks for the flowers, love. They made my day! I can't wait for this evening.

Neither can I.

Naluma smiled in anticipation as she pulled up the zipper of the little, black dress that had come in with the last supply shipment. She could not wait to see Luke's reaction. While her uniform was comfortable and practical, wearing a dress reminded her that she was a woman, not just a Jedi Knight.

After sliding on the matching low heels and spritzing perfume down her neck, Naluma strutted down the corridor to Luke's study.

As she passed by the girls' dormitory, Geryl poked her head out and whispered, "Pilar, come here. Quick."

The older girl poked her head out the hatch and whispered, "She's beautiful."

"Where do you think she's going?"

"Master Luke, of course."

"Oh, don't be silly, they're the only masters here. They wouldn't leave us on planet alone."

Naluma said, "We're not. Kalder's just got in. Have a good evening, girls." She strolled down the hall with a smile on her face.

❶ When Naluma arrived at his study, Luke met her at the door. He wore his embroidered silk uniform that he generally saved for formal Senate hearings. Other than his stump wrapped in plastic and the stitches over her eye, one would have thought they were going out for a night on the town.

"New dress?" Luke asked with a big smile when he opened the door.

Naluma nodded and raised her eyebrows with a knowing smile.

Luke's eyes trailed her through the door. "You look exquisite," he said, shutting the hatch.

Naluma blushed. "Oh, hush, I look hideous with this gash."

Luke slinked closer to her. "No, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and you drive me crazy." He breathed down the back of her neck and inhaled her sweet perfume. Running his fingers through her loose hair, he enjoyed the silky texture. Wish you'd wear your hair down more often.

And risk you doing this in front of the Padawan? Naluma closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. New cologne?  

I can feel your heart racing. Did I do that to you?

She sighed. Nodding, she opened her eyes. Oh, yeah. All the time. "Shall we eat before the food gets cold?"

Luke had converted his study table into a dining table for two. He had laid a white tablecloth and set out the best dishes he could find—the ones they were reserving for honored guests one day. He had even found two silver candlesticks and crystal water goblets in a storeroom.

The fire glowing in the stone fireplace added a cozy touch to the room. He moved behind her chair and held it for her.

"Why, thank you, Master Skywalker."

"My pleasure, Lady Fau." Most of the meal transpired in silence, each savoring the exceptional cuisine and eyeing the other with repressed desire.

Luke asked between bites, "How's your food?"

"Mmm. Delectable. Who prepared this?"

"Kalder. He learned how to cook fine cuisine on his last mission to Zeltos." Luke raised his eyebrows and grinned. "But he did warn me we shouldn't eat this all the time with the amount of cream he used to prepare it."

"I guess I'll be running twenty clicks tomorrow," Naluma said as she lifted her fork to her mouth. "Mmm. But it's worth it."

Luke did not respond. The best part about the evening was not the dress, not the food, and not even the location—but that they were together. They reveled in each other's company, somehow more complete when together.

When they were together like this, without the worries of the galaxy or the academy, when they were enjoying each other's presence, the Force energized them both greater than when they were apart. Luke could see with added clarity what he must do, and Naluma could feel his strength supporting her.

After dinner, they played a few card games to pass the time. Luke taught Naluma his favorite from Tatooine—Boonta Blitz—a fast-moving game that kept the players' hands moving and brains churning. Naluma reciprocated by teaching Luke a game she learned in the military that was based on bidding and bluffing your way to swindling your opponent out of his cards.

❷ Toward the end of the evening, Luke turned on soft music on a music chip he picked up on Hosnian Prime. A full orchestra played airs from before the Clone Wars. Some were dances, others were incidental music from plays and vids, and still other tracks were romances.

As they sat on the couch in front of the fire, they watched the embers rise in the chimney and listened to the wood crackle and pop. Even summer nights held a brisk chill on Khalkha.

Exhausted from the stresses of the last few days, they fell asleep on the couch, Luke's left arm around Naluma and her head on his chest. No visions assaulted her this time.

❸ The next morning, Naluma saw Luke off. On board the shuttle, they hugged one last time and kissed good-bye. Luke stroked her face with his left hand and brushed a stray hair out of her face. He said, "Take care of yourself. Please."

"You, too."

"Do you want anything from Hosnian?"

"You," Naluma whispered with a demure smile.

"Be serious."

"Surprise me," Naluma gave him a kiss he would not soon forget. "Hurry back. I'm lost without you."

"Me, too." Luke pressed his lips to her, running his hand down her back and taking her breath away.

With reluctance, Naluma pulled away and headed down the ramp. She stood on the edge of the landing field as the shuttle launched, wishing the next three weeks had already passed.

Did you know ...

● The Empire harvested all of the Kyber crystals on Ilum as well as stealing them from the Jedi temples and removing them from confiscated lightsabers.

● Luke assembled his second lightsaber from parts he found at Obi-Wan Kenobi's house on Tatooine, using an old diagram for guidelines. Because there were no longer Kyber crystals, Luke had to improvise with a precious gem and an alternate power source.

● Because there was no Kyber crystal in the lightsaber, the Force would not assemble the saber. Luke used a screwdriver and other tools. 

Tell me what you think ...

● Why do you think Luke and Naluma hold differing views about Ben?

● Whose view do you think is right? Why?

● Do you think their opposing points of view about Ben will affect their personal relationship in the future? Why or why not?