A/N: I do not own Star Wars

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The Importance of Physical Phytness:

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Luke Skywalker woke to the sound of music and what sounded like thumping feet. Groggily he reached for the chrono on the bed-side table.

With a yawn, he saw that it was 06:00 and he frowned, glancing over to Mara's side of the bed. He found her still between the covers, but stirring agitatedly as the noises persisted.

Luke stretched tired muscles and slipped out from the sheets, padding barefoot to the door of the master bedroom. He opened the door and was instantly bombarded by much louder music. Cringing, Luke quickly stepped through and closed the door before Mara woke up in a rage.

Luke waited for a tense heartbeat by the door to be sure Mara had indeed not been awakened. Letting out a relieved breath of air, Luke set out to find the most likely cause of the ruckus. He reached the end of the hallway and froze, all fatigue vanishing at the sight before him.

Standing in the middle of the floor-space in the sitting room, and with the furniture rearranged to accommodate his movements, stood seven-year-old Ben Skywalker. He wore tight-fitting pants in an eye-watering bright green and an equally bright orange tank-top style tunic. Wrapped about his head just above his eyes was a black band of fabric, and the boy wore simple shoes to complete the ensemble.

Luke watched his son perform jumping-jacks, half-correct cartwheels, and other exercises; all to the upbeat tempo of a children's tune.

A smile crept up on Luke's face as he observed his son in the midst of his work-out. It wasn't until Ben attempted to do a complex series- for him- of acrobatic moves that the child noticed his audience.

"Oh!" Ben exclaimed in surprise, breathing heavily.

The boy immediately ceased his activities, his cheeks flushing in momentary embarrassment. Luke used the Force to shut off the music, and the room became deafeningly silent.

Father and Son stood gazing at each other for a long moment, Luke unable to wipe the grin from his face.

"What are you doing up so early, Ben?" Luke asked, though he already knew the answer.

"I'm exercising." Ben answered.

He went to the couch and plopped himself down with a tired huff. When Luke joined him, the Jedi noticed a large piece of flimsi on the table, with Ben's young handwriting upon it.

He picked it up, noted his son's information in the typical school assignment heading, and a few short sentences.

What is important about Physical Phytness.

It is good to stay active. Being healthy makes me happyer.

I like to play with my Daddy. He and I do things togeter.

Mommy is also fun to ecxercise with. I love watching my Mom and Dad fight with their litesabrs.

Luke glanced at Ben, who was watching him somewhat warily.

"This is very good, Ben." Luke told the child. "Is this for homework?"

"Yes."

"Well, aside from a few misspelled words, I think your teacher will like your report." Luke praised. "One example is that 'Phytness' is spelled F-I-T-N-E-S-S."

He re-read the passages. "Do you really like to do things with me that much?"

"Of course!" Ben replied, obviously surprised Luke would ask that.

Luke pursed his lips. "If you'd like, we can do some of my exercises together."

"Really?" Ben asked excitedly. "What could we do?"

"I usually have a morning work-out that I do to stay fit." Luke reminded his son.

"Yeah! I love watching you and Mommy doing those!" Ben's eyes were aglow with the eagerness of youth.

"Well, how would you like to join me this morning for my routine?" Luke offered, setting the flimsi back on the table.

Ben frowned. "But I can't do what you do."

"I didn't mean you had to perform the workout of a Jedi Master, Ben." Luke chuckled. "That would be quite astonishing. No, what I meant is that you and I could go through some of the exercises the younglings do."

Ben cocked his head thoughtfully.

"Or we can do something else if you prefer." Luke finished.

"Okay, can we do a little of both?" Ben inquired.

"I don't see why not, if you feel up to it." Luke glanced at the eye-sore his son was wearing. "But, um… maybe you should change into something less, er… colorful?"

Ben glanced at his outfit. "But I thought everyone who does physical fitness wears these kinds of clothes?"

"Son, have you ever seen your mother or I wear something like that when we work out?" Luke smirked.

"No." Ben grinned mischievously at him. "But then, you don't normally wear much color anyway."

"Well, you've got me there." Luke shook his head amusedly. "Why don't we both go change then?"

"I bet I can beat you back to the couch!" Ben challenged as he leapt to his feet and scurried away.

Luke laughed as he scrambled to join in the impromptu contest, only pausing uncertainly when he reached his door. If he woke Mara up before her 'designated waking hours' she'd be in a foul mood.

Upon hearing Ben rustling through his drawers with gusto, Luke decided to brave the waters and he burst as quietly into the room as possible. He slipped out of his sleepwear and grabbed his normal work-out attire: grey slacks and a matching tank-top shirt, and a pair of worn-out boots.

Luke dressed swiftly and rushed back to the sitting room. As he turned from closing his bedroom door, Ben appeared from his room. Two pairs of blue eyes met, and something zinged between them, and suddenly the two were racing to be first to touch the sofa.

Laughter bubbled when Luke tried to dodge past his son only to have the boy grab his pants and pull him back and leap for the cushions. Ben missed by mere centimeters, thudding to the floor.

Luke felt a flash of concern as he moved to catch up, but it vanished when Ben crawled frantically for their chosen base, still chortling.

Ben's fingers brushed fabric seconds before Luke's, and Ben shouted triumphantly.

"I won! I won!" Ben chanted loudly.

"Yes, but it was a close ca…"

"What is going on in here!"

Two heads snapped in the direction of the irate voice, and spotted a frazzled, and irritated Mara Jade Skywalker standing in the room.

Ben swallowed hard, knowing what the penalty could be for waking Mara before she was ready to greet the world. Luke wasn't far behind, but he offered a sheepish grin.

"'Morning, Love." he began cautiously. "Ben and I were just heading out for a little physical phytness." He emphasized the last word for Ben, who giggled.

"Well then you'd best get going and let me rest in peace and quiet." Mara warned, her eyes hard.

"We're going!" Luke pulled Ben to his feet, and ushered his son to the door. "See you later."

Mara grumbled something, and Luke risked one more sentence.

"I love you."

Mara turned with her mouth open, and then broke out into a small spontaneous smile.

"Love you too, Farmboy." she shook her head. "Go."

Luke's heart fluttered, and he led Ben away.

00000

After stopping to pick up a light snack before their workout, Luke and Ben walked into their building's gym.

Luke led Ben to a private room where they could be a family without the media or other on-lookers watching their every move. He settled to the floor in the center of a workout mat, and began to loosen and stretch his muscles.

"Have a seat Ben, and do as I do." Luke instructed.

His son did as his father asked, and replicated Luke's movements the best he could. Luke kept his movements simple so that Ben wouldn't have too hard a time keeping up.

"Well done, Ben." Luke stood. "Are you ready to begin?"

"Yep!" Ben said spiritedly. "What are we gonna do first?"

"What would you like to do?"

"Kickboxing?" Ben asked hopefully.

"Hmm." Luke scratched his chin. "I'm not too familiar with those routines, but I'm sure we can work in some of the youngling techniques with their music."

"Okay Dad."

They started off with a series of kicks and arm movements, and Luke allowed Ben to lead. His son smiled eagerly at this chance to impress his father, and he led him through a series of maneuvers.

"How's this Dad?"

"I'm having fun!" Luke answered honestly. "You should join me for workouts more often."

"Do you mean that?" Ben squeaked.

"I most certainly do." Luke replied. "It's nice to have the company, and I always love spending time with you, Son."

"I like being with you too, Daddy." Ben smiled hugely. "What's next?"

00000

Mara trudged back into the bedroom as her boys left, and collapsed back onto the bed.

Morning people! She cursed.

Instantly shame washed through her: that was her husband and her son she was wishing ill-will upon. Even if it was too early for her normal schedule, it was hardly reason to wish them harm.

She glanced at the chrono and decided she was already awake, so she might as well start the day.

And since she had some free time now, she could do whatever she wanted.

Mara dressed into comfortable clothing and grabbed a bowl of yogurt from the fridge. She plopped haphazardly on the couch Luke and Ben had been 'fighting' over.

She frowned upon noticing a piece of flimsi with what looked like Ben's handwriting on it. Leaning forward, she picked it up halfway and read the words, smiling as she remembered Luke teasing Ben about his spelling of fitness, and now getting their private joke.

Then a pang surged through her heart, and she glanced at the door her family had exited through. She pursed her lips thoughtfully, replaying the rest of Luke's words in her mind.

He'd never said it was specifically father-son time. She ached to spend time with her son and husband after some few stressful and work-filled weeks. This was the first day in almost two weeks that all three of them had had off.

Mara made a choice and got off the settee. She changed into more appropriate clothes for a workout and grabbed her lightsaber. On her way out, she spotted Luke's still sitting in its usual spot whenever they were asleep.

It wasn't like him to forget it. Then again, he wasn't usually chased from his own home with his son in tow at six in the morning.

She grimaced and picked it up, placing it on her belt near her own.

A few minutes later she walked into the gym, looking around for Luke or Ben. She didn't see them, so began checking the individual rooms along the walls. She found them after four doors, and snuck in while they were in the middle of a light jog about the perimeter of the room.

Mara set her gear aside and waited until they rounded the corner and spotted her.

"Mom!" Ben broke into a sprint and made a b-line for her, arms open wide.

He hit her with enough force to have knocked her to the floor had she not braced for impact. She wrapped him lovingly in her arms, and Luke joined them shortly after. He kissed her lightly when Ben stepped back, sending her his love via the Force as well.

"You came to join us?" Ben asked.

"I did, but if you are finished?" Mara prompted upon seeing Ben yawn.

"I think Ben's about done for, but you and I can do our routines while he rests up." Luke offered with a questioning brow to his son.

"Okay Daddy." Ben yawned, and moved to the bench at the wall.

Mara smiled wistfully before turning back to Luke. "By the way, you forgot this."

Luke did a double-take, glanced at his belt, and then grimaced. "Right, thanks."

He accepted the weapon from his wife with a grateful smile.

Mara and Luke went about their normal physical exercises while Ben looked on with great interest. It wasn't until they were about to leave that he really started to drift. Luke smiled as Ben leaned heavily on his father during the turbolift ride home, practically asleep on his feet.

"I think someone's going to take a long nap when we get back." Luke murmured.

Mara snorted. "Serves him right for getting up so early."

"I believe it was research for his school assignment." Luke quipped good-naturedly. "You should have seen his attire…"

"Well he should have plenty of material now." Mara held the door while Luke all but carried his child to their front door.

Upon entering the apartment, Luke placed Ben in his bed and closed the door.

Mara was in the kitchen when he returned to her, and she favored him with a lingering kiss. Luke wrapped his arms about her, deepening the kiss.

"I'm sorry for being a grouch." Mara whispered when they parted.

"That's alright." Luke answered.

"No, it really isn't." Mara returned. "I shouldn't be upset at you two for being who you are."

"Mara, we didn't mean to wake you, honestly." Luke said.

"Maybe it was a good thing." Mara told him. "I did get to spend a few extra moments with the two of you, and I have more time in the day for other things."

Luke offered a perfect imitation of Han Solo's lopsided smile. "Well in that case, my dear, if you'd like to become a morning person yourself…"

Mara socked him playfully in the arm. "Don't even go there!"

Luke laughed.

"I don't mind an early morning now and then." Mara continued. "But if you make this an everyday occurrence, there will be hell to pay."

"Yes, Mrs. Skywalker." Luke answered dutifully.

A playful gleam entered his gaze. "So, now that you have extra time, what would you like to do with it?"

Mara caught his line of thinking, and moved against him seductively.

"Well, Ben is asleep, and we need to get these sweaty clothes off…"

"I could help you with that." Luke murmured huskily.

"Why don't we shower together?" Mara finished, pulling away.

She grinned wickedly at his low growl and sped from the room, Luke hot on her heels.