Chapter #4

Armed with the knowledge that Lin's receptionist gave him, Ben hurried over to his parent's apartment hoping to catch them before they made plans for the evening. He smiled as he remembered his meeting with the savvy lawyer and how lovely she looked sitting across from him.

Lin…he thought to himself…how could I have ever gotten through this ordeal without her? And how can I keep her in my life once this is all over?

Ben reached the upscale apartment complex and entered the private turbolift to their residence, punching the button. He reached out with the Force and could sense his parent's presence, yet—something was heavily guarded about them. He hoped they were all right. Could the stress of the trial have finally taken its toll? Perhaps they were attempting to hide their devastation from him and every other Force sensitive nearby? As the doors to the lift opened onto the landing, Ben started out only to find his parents locked in a rather heated embrace.

Ben felt his face flush as he suddenly understood why they'd put up such strong walls. It never ceased to amaze him…married after all these years and his parents still acted like newlyweds. Ben cleared his throat, "Geez, you two—get a room why don't you?"

Luke and Mara jumped apart as they jerked around to see Ben standing in the doorway of the turbolift with his hands folded across his chest. "Ben!" said his father, blushing brightly. "We…we didn't expect to see you…or anyone…"

"Yes, I can tell."

Luke swallowed and looked over at a rather disheveled Mara. "Your mother and I were just…that is we were trying to…"

"Yes?" Ben said, smiling widely and thoroughly enjoying himself.

Mara snorted. "Oh forget it, farmboy. He knows exactly what we were up to. We didn't raise any fools." Mara crossed the distance towards Ben as she ran a hand through her hair. "Hello, honey. How are you doing?"

Ben bent over a tad and enveloped his mother in his arms. "I'm doing all right." He kissed her cheek and then looked over the top of her head at his father. "I just came from Ms. Dupresis' office. She said I could catch you here."

"Can you join us for dinner, son?" asked Luke.

"Please say yes," said Mara. "We have so much to discuss. And besides—it's not often I'm able to have a meal with two handsome men."

Ben nodded his head and smiled. "Very flattering Mom, but unnecessary. Of course I'll have dinner with you."

"Hey, speak for yourself son. It's not often your mom tells me I'm handsome."

Mara took both Skywalker men by the arm. "Like you need reminding, dear husband. Just the other day, I caught the Ambassador from Naldar checking you out for star's sake."

"She was only being friendly, Mara. All in the name of good interstellar relations."

"Don't let him fool you, son. Your father has become quite the flirt," winked Mara at Ben. "I especially have to keep an eye on him around the Twileks."

Luke grimaced. "Now you know that's only a vicious rumor started by Wedge all those years ago. And besides you're a much better dancer than any Twilek I ever saw."

Ben grinned taking in the loving banter between his parents. It had been too long since they had gathered together like this…without the stress of the trial hanging over their heads. He knew his parents were still in a great deal of turmoil, but for right now—it was nice to laugh again.

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Ben leaned back from the table as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. "That was a great idea, Dad."

Luke grinned. "Didn't I tell you they have the best ribs in the inner core?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Mara, snapping her napkin towards Luke. "But next time we order from Celios—you promised."

"Celios does not deliver, my love, and I knew you wanted Ben all to yourself," said Luke, a sudden frown flashing across his face. "Besides I am very tired of having to deal with the holo-reporters and all their questions." He picked up the decanter and filled their glasses.

Mara grew quiet for a moment, then looked across the table at Ben. "So tell us about your meeting with Ms. Dupresis."

"Before I do that—I need to tell you about my meeting with Jaryn." Ben felt his father's walls come up as Luke dropped his eyes to the floor. He reached over and placed a comforting hand on his father's shoulder. "I know Jaryn is still refusing to see you. He's refusing to see everyone."

"Except you…" whispered Luke.

Ben felt his anger toward his brother flare again, wondering for the hundredth time why he was putting their parents through this. "I've tried to reason with him but…"

"We know, Ben," said Mara. "Your father and I both know how big a part you've played during this whole... affair. We just wish we had some clue as to why he did what he did."

Luke nodded. "And why he continues to behave as he does. It's as if he's given up completely."

"In many ways…he has," said Ben softly. He took a sip of wine, struggling for the right words to say.

"What is it, Ben?" asked Mara.

"Jaryn says he won't appeal the courts sentencing."

"WHAT?" said Mara. "H-He can't do that. He can't. He'll die, Luke we have to do something!"

Luke crossed to Mara and put his arms around her. "Shhhh…listen, love. Ben's not finished yet. Listen to him." Both turned and stared at Ben.

"He's right, Mom. Ms. Dupresis thinks our best course of action is to have him declared judicially incompetent. I would become his judicial guardian and have the legal right to appeal the sentencing."

"And Jaryn's lawyer thinks that this is our best option?" asked Luke.

"Yes," said Ben, noticing that his father was staring at him intently.

"Lin is confident that this is the only option available to us and I believe her. She's extraordinary and extremely capable—you don't know her like I do. We need to trust her. If she says this is our best avenue then it is."

Mara nodded. "All right, Ben. If you truly believe that this is for the best."

"I do," said Ben. "And most of all, so does Lin."

Luke stood behind Mara, massaging her shoulders, but his eyes were riveted on Ben. "Since when are you on a first name basis with Jaryn's lawyer, son?"

"Luke!"

Ben clenched his jaw for a moment. "I don't think that's any of your business, Dad."

"I think it is, Ben. You know how I feel about—"

"Yes, Dad, I know how you feel about my position within the Jedi Order. I know how you feel about Grand Masters and non-Force sensitives becoming romantically involved." He stood up abruptly, sending his chair crashing to the floor. "And I also know that you had this very conversation with Jaryn when you decided to retire from the council."

"Then you also know that as Grand Master you have to set the supreme example by not crossing that line."

"What line, Dad? I called her Lin—what line did I cross over? TELL ME THAT!"

"YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH THE WOMAN FOR SITH'S SAKE! I CAN SENSE IT FROM HERE!"

"AGAIN, THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"

"Stop it! Both of you!" Mara stood, placing her hand against Luke's chest. "Now you both need to take a deep breath, before you force me to knock some sense into those thick Skywalker skulls of yours."

"He has no right telling me what to do—"

Mara quelled Ben with a glance. "He has every right to give you advice. Stars, son! Your father is Luke Skywalker, he's been a Jedi since...there were no Jedi left! And you…" she turned and glared into her husband's eyes. "You have got to trust Ben to make the right decisions. You trained him up, now let him be the Jedi Master he was meant to be."

Both men stood with their eyes averted as the wisdom of Mara Jade Skywalker's words rang in their ears.

"Now that's enough talk about Ben's love life for one evening. I propose we put this off—"

Ben could see his father begin to interrupt.

"—Luke!" warned Mara. "We put this off until after the situation with Jaryn has been taken care of. There will be plenty of time to revisit tonight's discussion when emotions have calmed and I've had time to think about this."

"Fine," said both men simultaneously.

"Good," said Mara, smiling. "So, Ben what is our next move?"

Ben turned and walked the short distance to the door before he answered, "I'll meet again with Lin and we'll draw up the necessary documents. The application to prove Jaryn's judicial incompetence will go before a judge. Once that's granted, I'll file for a change of sentence in the appellate court. I'll keep you posted." He opened the

door and left the apartment.

Luke sighed. "I sure hope he knows what he's doing."

"About which situation?"

"Both."