Roll the Dice
Luke got close to the truth of Ben's secret. He then confronted Han.
Han answered, "Remember that time I asked you if you think a princess and a guy like me is possible? You should have said your no more convincingly, then I wouldn't have made that bet with myself. I was challenged. I intended to seduce her. It wasn't hard she was just 18 and I was already 32. I already had all these experiences under my belt."
"Are you saying it was my fault?" Luke replied. "It wasn't a challenge. And I thought you were only on your twenties then."
"I'm not blaming you. I'm trying to make you understand. Qi'ra..." Han had that faraway look as he continued, "I met her again when Ben was 5. And when that happened, my memories of her came back and with them the feeling. Suddenly, I didn't feel so old. I felt younger...irresponsible."
"Han..." Luke hesitated to ask, "did you ever love my sister?"
Han tensed. "Of course."
"There's no of course to it," snapped Luke. "I think it's best if I take Ben with me. I can train him to become a better jedi. My sister doesn't need to know the real reason for the blackness she can feel in Ben's heart."
—oOo—
"Why are my parents sending me away?" Ben asked.
Luke replied, "They want what's best for you."
"No! That's not it," Ben sneered. "My dad is a weakling. He doesn't have the force."
"Ben, your father loves you."
"No, he doesn't! How can he when I'm the person stopping him from going back to what he really loves—smuggling and his woman."
"Ben."
Ben turned his back.
Luke couldn't reach him. The damage was done.
—oOo—
~6 11 18AF re-P 12 27 18~
