Chapter 4

From ignorance our comfort flows.—
Matthew Prior: To the Hon. Charles Montague.

**

"So this is your Yayso Atee, Aubé?" Toa asked as soon as the door closed behind them. "He is even handsomer than he is in my Kaysa's memories." He led Kay'leb to an empty seat, and kept a standing vigil next to him.

"Toa," Aubé said gently, "Luke didn't know about – about what happened to Kay after. How he lost his sight, and… and…" She melted into Luke's embrace, unable to continue. Luke caressed her cheek soothingly, reassuringly.

Schurke sat down heavily in one of the large soft chairs with a grunt. "We can talk about our family memories over supper tonight," he said solemnly. "Luke, you haven't heard what's been going on."

"What is it Master?" Luke asked, and then grimaced as he felt Aubé trembling against him. "What's wrong?"

"Children," Schurke said softly. "It has not yet been reported to the holo-net vultures, but children are being stolen."

Luke could only stare in horror.

"There are no detectable patterns yet," Schurke continued in a low voice. "At least, not detectable to most beings…"

"Force – sensitives…"

Schurke nodded. "And sometimes their caretakers… just disappear."

"And you think they could be after Pem…?" Luke murmured.

"No one knows that she is your child, Luke," Aubé said softly. "There are so many fatherless children left behind from the war as it is…"

"Why haven't you sent a message to Coruscant?" Luke asked, incredulous.

"Luke," Kay'leb interrupted him softly. "Coruscant is overrun with other concerns more pressing than the disappearances of a few children."

Toa nodded in agreement.

Luke sat down in the nearest unoccupied chair and Aubé crawled into his lap, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry Luke," Aubé whispered. "I should have told you."

"What can we do?" Luke asked, suddenly determined.

"Luke, I want you to take Aubé and Pem back to Coruscant," Schurke said slowly, earning a look of malevolence from Aubé. "They'll be safer there."

"Pappa, I've already said…"

"This isn't the time or place to argue, Aubé," Schurke snapped. "We can discuss this later, but right now we need to act as if all is normal. Pem is with Kampher, and I doubt if anyone would be foolish enough to try anything at home. There are a few advantages to being a retired public official, after all."

A quiet knock at the door interrupted them.

"I'm sorry sir, Are you ready for your speech?"

"Yes, thank you," Kay'leb answered softly, as Toa took his arm. "I'll be there shortly…"

**

It was late in the evening when the party arrived back at the house, and as soon as they began to make the journey down the pathway, Pemberian came racing out to greet them. After a quick kiss and cuddle from Schurke and Kay'leb, who continued into the house, Pem turned her attention fully to Toa.

"Toa! Toa!" she squealed joyfully. "X-wing! X-wing!"

Luke felt another stab of jealousy as Pemberian – his daughter – jumped into Toa's waiting arms.

"X-wing!" she implored him again, squirming in his arms. With a burst of laughter, Toa grasped her fore-arm and ankle.

"Only one mission, Pi," he told her as he began to swing the little girl around in a circle. "Ready?"

"Gonna blow up the Death Star!" she giggled. "Just like my Pay-pa!"

Luke turned to Aubé, who only laughed. "She loves him, Luke," Aubé said simply. "Toa has been there since before she was born."

Luke could only thin his lips. He had missed so much of Pemberian's growing up; there was no way to make up for that. But yet…

He tried to clamp down on this thought as Toa finally put his daughter down.

"Toa, did you meet my Pay-pa yet?" Pem giggled, running into Luke's arms. She nestled herself down into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Pay-pa and Gra-mere and I went to Treasure Ship Row today! Ma-mere! Pay-pa bought loads of sweets!"

Aubé was horrified. "Luke, you didn't!"

Luke grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Aubé," he said, obviously not sorry at all. "But I did bring you some."

Toa looked around. "We should go inside," he murmured.

"Do you sense something, Toa?"

"Yes…"

"What is it?" asked Luke, reaching automatically for his lightsaber.

"Your angry mother…" Toa laughed, gently pushing Pem towards the door. "She's going to be upset if we don't come in for last meal soon."

"Last meal," Aubé repeated thoughtfully. "And sweets from Treasure Ship Row…"

"Hidden from your – our – daughter," Luke said mischievously. He pulled Aubé close.

"Luke, we're outside," Aubé murmured, wrapping her arms around him and drawing even closer. "And Last meal is waiting."

"I missed you all day," Luke replied huskily. "More than that."

"And Pem didn't wear you out?" Aubé's lips brushed his cheek.

A low, soft chuckle. "Not like you can." Luke brushed her nose with his playfully, and any tension that had remained between them dissolved with that simple gesture.

"Last meal…" Aubé began, but found herself silenced with a kiss.

After a long moment, Luke finally broke away.

"What was that for?" Aubé gasped. "Not that I object at all."

"Everything," Luke said softly, kissing her again. "Everything…"