Thanks to my loyal readers. There is still more to come. Thanks for being so patient!


Ben entered Bakura's atmosphere with no little amount of anxiety.

Why am I doing this?

Search your feelings, his father's voice said within his memories.

My feelings?

If Ben were to allow himself to ever truly search his feelings...

It won't destroy you, Allana's voice whispered. Or was that his conscience?

Oh but it will, he thought sadly. He had lost his mother, he had turned his back on the Jedi Order; he had disowned his father...

I hate myself. I always have. And that is why I've turned. That is why I'm not fit for planting or for the fire. I hate what I am, what I've become. But the clock can't be turned back...

Jacen had once promised he would teach Ben to flow-walk in such a way that Ben could 'fix things.' But Jacen, in his master role, had always ever been Caedus to Ben and that flow-walking business was all a lie. The clock could not be turned back, but Ben could return to the past anytime he wanted to watch himself make the same mistakes.

The small part of Ben, just on the lighter side, knew all of this. The rest of Ben sealed all of these thoughts—traitorous thoughts—in a mental chamber never to be opened again.

But that's the thing about doors—they're made to open. Jaina. His beloved cousin. She knew what it was like to give in to the Dark Side. Perhaps he'd better set course for her instead.

No, Malinza first. Why the desire to see that spoiled brat? Why the sudden need to see the usurper of his father's affections?

Malinza, then Jaina.

He reached into the Force for stillness.


Caedus emerged from his meditation, looking over at his daughter. She was reading a datapad, brow furrowed—giving no indication that she was attuned to his subtle manipulations of his apprentice's thoughts.

He patted her on the head and stroked her dark red hair. The gray eyes looked into his; he smiled.


"Uncle? Do you like it?"

Malinza's voice quavered as she stood in front of her adopted uncle, waiting for the slightest twitch or tingle or reaction.

Luke's smile was bright enough to bring tears to her mismatched eyes.

"You look beautiful, my dear." And as he embraced her and kissed the top of her head, his thoughts again strayed to

Ben. He's here.

My son. My child.

Returned.

He's here.


Ben felt the warmth of his father's presence. Oh no.

But it was too late. He couldn't turn back now. Even if his father's presence was bright enough to light a system, let alone blind and expose him.

His landing gear was already down, coordinates set...he would be landing on Malinza's landing pad in just a few short moments.


The Force rippled. Danger, very close. But to whom?

Father and son both felt the Force roil with malicious intent. But neither was prepared to do the other harm.


No sooner had Ben's ship touched the pad than he had burst from the cockpit, his mother's lightsaber lit in his hand. He was running for his father, who had moved to stand in front of Malinza—

She was in her wedding dress and there were flowers in her hair. Her mismatched eyes were horrified. Ben could see that Luke was murmuring soft words to her, but he was not reaching for his lightsaber.

The Force was still tingling with threat, but Ben suddenly stopped.

"Hello, son," Luke said, gesturing with open palms.

"Father," Ben replied curtly.

"Have you come to the wedding?" Luke asked. Malinza was barely peeking over his shoulder.

Ben deactivated his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt. "I have," he replied.

"Ben, that's wonderful!" Malinza cried and made as if to run into his arms but Luke stopped her.

"I sense something..." Luke trailed off, his eyes on the sky. "Nothing. Ben, what are you doing?"

"I came to remind Malinza of her manners," Ben snapped. "How could you leave me out of an event as momentous as this?"

Malinza stepped out of the protective shadow of her 'uncle' and looked at her adopted brother-cousin. "I didn't think you'd care," she said softly. "I didn't know Sith lords cared about weddings. I didn't know they were capable of love."

"Well, I'm here," he grunted and tried to pass—and found himself firmly held in place by his father's strong hands.

"Ben? Is that really you?" Luke Skywalker stared into his son's face, but the words were not affectionate. Ben stared back and realized, with a pang, how much he had aged his father.

"It is," he replied. "Now can I go sit or something or do I have to stand here all day?"

Malinza made a gesture to Luke and Luke let Ben go. "I'm watching you, son," was all he said.

"Don't call me that," was all Ben said as he made his way to the garden for the ceremony.

Luke rushed to Malinza as soon as Ben left them. She was a little shaken, but fine, she assured him.

"Now go sit and watch," she smiled at him, her eyes clear again. "Don't forget your cue, okay? You have to give me away properly or I won't feel like a bride!" With a last laugh, she dashed back inside, preparing to make her trip down the aisle.


A/N: Feedback makes me write faster. :)