Chapter Four:

A lone figure stood atop the berm that divided the untamed desert from the edge of the Lars farm. Shrouded in a brown robe with the hood up to protect his face from the glare of the double suns, he watched a young man in pale clothes as he worked on a moisture vaporator.

Ben Kenobi tilted his head as he observed the less-than enthusiastic way in which the youth went about his task, almost as though he'd lost his fire. That had been something the Jedi had always admired about Luke.

But now that was gone, and it was clear to Ben that Luke was not himself anymore. Ben had of course sensed the disturbance in the Force weeks earlier, centered on Luke, but had known that for him to intervene at that time would have been nothing short of disastrous.

So now here he was, following the direction of the Force in his efforts to help the young man he'd watched for over a decade.

Sending out a searching tendril of Force energy to make sure Owen was nowhere near the pair of them, Ben wandered over.

Luke spotted the dark figure approach and he tensed in surprise, his hand tightening about the hydrospanner already in his grasp. It wouldn't make the best weapon if this sudden visitor was here to cause trouble, but it was better than nothing. But then the person approaching lifted their hands in a friendly gesture, and Luke relaxed a little.

"Who are you?" Luke asked as the figure in brown stopped a respectful distance away.

"I believe your uncle calls me a crazy old man," was the dry response. "But my name is Ben Kenobi."

Luke relaxed fully then, recognizing the hermit from previous meetings, however brief they'd been.

He frowned. "What brings you out this far from home?"

"I wanted to see how you are doing, Luke," Ben said, lowering his hood to reveal nearly-white hair and a kind smile.

Luke lifted a brow, but shrugged and returned to his task.

"I'm okay I guess," he answered vaguely.

"Just okay?"

Luke spared Ben a glance. "Why do you care how I am?"

"You look like you could use someone to talk to, my young friend," Ben replied softly. "You do not seem like your normal, chipper self."

Luke didn't respond, instead focusing on his repair job. He bit his cheek as he worked, thinking about the other man's offer. He was right: he could use someone to talk to, and he wasn't getting that kind of support at school or at home.

So why shouldn't he tell the man? Who was he going to gossip to in return that hadn't already heard Luke's 'big news'?

Luke recalled the any snarky comments from his 'friends' at school, with Fixer's— no surprise— being the most irksome.

Ah, Skywalker... I never knew you had it in you! Our little Wormie is growing up, hey boys?

Luke gritted his teeth, remembering how he'd wanted to knock Fixer's teeth out then. But he was doing all he could to stay out of Owen's already red-lined radar, so he'd refrained from retaliating in any way; instead suffering every bit of teasing and humiliation in silence.

He now sat alone at lunch and during the minutes he spent waiting for class to begin and then to get picked up. Venussia, of course, had managed to turn everyone to her side of things, gaining favor among the collective band of kids.

She'd milked every ounce of sympathy out of the other teenagers, leaving Luke dryer than a bone in the desert.

Only Biggs Darklighter seemed sympathetic. Although, even his attention was limited due to his increasing attempts to get into the Imperial Academy.

Owen hadn't said a word to Luke outside of what was absolutely necessary and even Beru was more quiet and reserved than usual.

So Luke really had no one to talk to. Ben's offer to let him get this off his chest, even just a little, was really too good to pass up.

With a sigh, Luke gave up his task to turn to the older man.

"I screwed up with my aunt and uncle." Luke began. "I got a girl at school pregnant."

He'd expected shock to register on the haggard face regarding him, and though there was a strong flash of surprise in Ben's blue gaze, Luke did not see judgment, nor did Ben turn away in disgust.

Instead he folded his arms into his sleeves, and nodded encouragingly. "Go on."

Wondering at how well this hermit could take such a confession when Owen had essentially abandoned Luke in his darkest hour, the youth poured out his soul.

"I feel horrible, and filthy… and worthless," Luke said earnestly. "And I know I messed up, but Uncle Owen won't even give me a chance to make things better. It's not like I haven't tried to apologize… but each time I speak, if it doesn't have to do with the work, he shuts down and tunes me out."

He ran a hand through his hair, removing his hat. "And then there's Venussia. She's milking everyone around for any pity and friendly support she can get. She completely threw me to the neks when she lied to everyone about what really happened that night. Now everyone thinks of me as some great pervert who was simply waiting for a chance to get some action! It's horrible!"

Ben tilted his head. "Have you tried to tell Owen or Beru your side of things?"

Luke snorted. "What would be the point?" he remarked bitterly. "Venussia was right: everyone took her story so readily that I wouldn't have stood chance. It would have just lead to even more heartache because no one would have known who to believe, and then they'd still have taken her side because they see her as the only victim. Because stars-forbid a girl should ever start something like this. It's always the guy's fault."

"How do you feel about the baby?" Ben asked gingerly, noting with alarm how thin Luke was, now that he was close enough to see it.

Luke lifted his head, surprised at the unexpected question: again, no one had bothered to ask how he was taking this. He'd given it a good deal of thought, mostly during the hours he spent working.

"Honestly?" Luke looked to Ben. "At first I was terrified beyond words. And I am still afraid, but…"

When he trailed off, Ben made an inviting gesture, so he continued. "But now… part of me wants to get to know this baby. I can't help but feel connected to the child. I want to help the baby, but Corsair has forbidden me from going near Venussia, so how can I do that? And Uncle Owen wouldn't let me off the farm for something like that anyway." Luke looked down glumly, kicking forlornly at the sand beneath his boots.

Ben pursed his lips.

"You might be surprised, Luke," he reprimanded gently. "Owen's a hard man, but he's not made of stone. He'll more than likely respect what you want to do."

Luke considered that. "Do you really think it'd make a difference to him? Not that I want to help my baby to please Owen, but… I want to feel like I am making at lease a sliver of progress toward being forgiven."

Ben moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Luke, the right path to take is more often than not a very lonely one. But that does to make it any less correct. I think it's wonderful that you want to take responsibility. Would you like my advice?"

Luke nodded, grateful that someone was willing to help him: he didn't care who it was at this point. Ben had been the first person in weeks to show Luke any kindness.

"Please."

"This problem is ultimately between you and the young woman," Ben said. "It began with you two, and that is how it should end. However; since she is protected by her father, I would suggest you go to him for permission first. Once he agrees, that would be a good time to take the issue to Owen and Beru."

Luke nodded. "Okay. That does sound like a good approach."

"Luke?" The young man jumped in surprise, and both heads turned to see Owen Lars approaching. Luke heard Ben shift behind him.

Before Owen could get to them, however, Luke turned back to Ben.

"Thank you, for everything," he said softly. "You don't know what it means to me."

"We all make mistakes, Luke," Ben returned evenly. "It's what we do afterwards that shows our true colors. Stay strong, my friend."

Luke smiled for the first time in a long while, feeling lighter now that he'd been able to share his pain… and not be harassed in return.

"Luke, what are you standing around for when there's work to do?" Owen asked sternly. When his gaze fell upon Ben, his eyes hardened. "And I do not recall giving you permission to come onto my land."

Luke opened his mouth to snap off a retort, angry that Owen would treat Ben in such a manner, but some strange nudge in his mind gave him pause.

Ben dipped his head. "My apologies, Owen. I was passing through and saw Luke. I just wanted to know how he was doing."

"He's fine, now leave my property," Owen ordered gruffly.

Ben nodded his head and pulled his hood back up. "Goodbye Luke."

"Bye," Luke murmured, feeling a strange sense of loss at the man's departure.

"Get back to work," Owen muttered, leaving Luke alone again.

The young man narrowed his eyes, convinced that Owen just didn't want him talking with anyone anymore.

The hell with this playing the penitent servant anymore. Luke thought. I'm going to do something about this baby, and if Owen disowns me, so be it.

Even as he thought it, though, Luke knew his aching heart was starved for any sort of affection from Owen. He also knew that it would break him further if he had to go against Owen and lose him forever.

But Luke knew he was on the right path: he could feel it in his bones. Recalling what Ben had said about the right course being lonely, Luke steeled his determination and formulated a plan.

00000

He waited outside the schoolhouse as usual, thankful that Owen had sent word that he'd be late in picking Luke up that afternoon. It would give the youth a chance to talk with Corsair.

Luke watched Venussia, discreetly eyeing her abdomen to see if she was showing yet. But he supposed it was still too soon, because her body didn't look any larger in that area than it had been before.

Shaking his head to clear it, Luke saw the girl straighten and look to the horizon, where her father's speeder neared the building. Luke stood as well and took a deep breath.

He began walking toward where her father usually stopped for her, and managed to be there just as Corsair pulled up. He gave Luke a hard look, and the young man spoke before his nerve failed him.

"Hello Mr. Atriedes." Luke began. "May I please speak with you?" he eyed Venussia. "Alone?"

Corsair narrowed his eyes, taking in all of the young man before him. He had to admit that the youth looked like hell. Obviously young Skywalker had taken this very hard, given how he looked like a rail now, and had dark circles under his eyes.

He looked into the blue eyes and saw only the hope for a chance. With a nod, he shut off the speeder and indicated for his daughter to wait. He and Luke moved to a secluded place where they could talk in private.

"What is it, Luke?" Corsair asked when they stopped.

He took a moment to collect himself, and then looked the older man in the eye.

"I know I made a huge mistake, Mr. Atriedes," he said. "And I haven't done much to help Venussia since. But: I would like to be there for her… and the baby, if you will allow me. I want the chance to see this through, since I am the accountable party. I want to help her through this pregnancy, and take responsibility for my actions."

Corsair couldn't contain his surprise at Luke's words, and he studied the young man with a new respect. Luke was deadly serious, he saw, and Corsair could appreciate where the teenager was coming from.

"Does your uncle know you're asking this?" he inquired.

"No… not yet," Luke admitted. "I would rather go to my aunt and uncle with your permission already in place, Sir."

Corsair stroked his short beard in thought, taking his time and waiting to see if Luke would back down. To his credit, he didn't, though he did squirm in the extended silence.

Finally he acquiesced. "Very well. I can respect where you are coming from. She has an ultrasound tomorrow if you want to start then."

Luke's head came up a little, and Corsair did not miss the flash of joy that lit up the blue gaze. Then Luke collected himself and nodded eagerly.

"I would love that, Sir. Thank you."

Corsair nodded, gave Luke a ginger pat on the shoulder, and left.