Chapter 10

"I don't understand."

"I knew you wouldn't."

"This is insane. I love you."

"And I love you. Look this isn't easy for me….."

"Tell me why."

Slowly, she let out a shuddering breath. "I'm not sure you would understand. Please, just accept what I am saying. It will be for the best for both of us."

"No. I'm sorry." There was anger in his tone now. "That's not good enough. I have been a good a man to you. You might not want to offer an explanation, but I think I deserve one."

Another deep shuddering sigh. "Yes, you do."

"You are a Jedi."

"No, I'm not…"

"Yes, you are Del, in all but name. I admit its part of what drew me to you. You have an amazing and wondrous power."

"I watch you sometimes, when you are meditating." Her voice was barely a whisper now. "I can feel it flowing all around you. And I know more than anything, you listen to the force."

"How long before you listen to it tell you to leave this place?"

"The force brought me to you. I have no doubt of that. It's not going to tell me to leave you. And if it did, I wouldn't listen."

"And what of your mission?"

He took a step back. He struggled to find the words.

"Something is coming, Bella. I feel it grow more every day. It's like a disease… darkness is infecting the galaxy. I'm so close to something…"

"I can't walk away now."

"I know. But my place is here, Del. This is where my family is. This is where my students are. You know how important they are to me."

"Don't do this…."

"Sooner or later, Del, the force is going to take you from me. I…. I don't think I would be able to bear it."

"So you are going to push me away instead? Is that going to somehow make it easier to bear?"

"Del please…. I…"

Gently, he took both of her hands in his, twining his fingers with hers, like he had done so many times before. "Angel, the only reason in this entire galaxy to be with somebody is finding some part of you – a part that you didn't even know existed – in another person. Once you find that, can you ever be complete again without it?"

"I love you. I was meant to find you. I waited my entire life to find you, without knowing it. I have no idea if I'm going to be able to stop what is coming. But I know I can't do what I must without you."

"Tell me you don't believe the same, and I will never bother you again."

For a long time, she stood there, saying nothing. When she did speak, it was through sobs. "I'm sorry Del… I just can't….."

And suddenly her arms were around his neck, squeezing him tight.

"Wherever you go, whatever you do, you carry my heart with you."

And then she was gone.

Del stood alone, surrounded by the emptiness.