Part 13 - The Purpose

All were stunned as they stared at the ghostly blue-white image of Anakin Solo standing before them. His spirit sparkled with life as it once had before. He wore the same Jedi robes he had worn as a student at the Jedi Academy on Yavin. The time since his death was a blip in the annals of time. If felt like an eternity to the mortals who were now witness to his appearance.

Luke thought of the last time he had seen a Force ghost. Obi Wan. He was told that it would be the last time he could take visible form. Perhaps with Anakin's presence he could make an exception.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Luke," were the first words his nephew had said to him since he sent him to his death. "Obi Wan can no longer appear as you knew him. Despite your doubts, he is still very proud of you. So am I. Please don't feel guilty about sending me on the mission to Myrkr. My sacrifice was my decision alone."

Darth Caedus intervened, "I'd hate to disrupt a touching moment here, but why are you here, Anakin?"

Anakin faced his brother. "You are why I'm here."

"You stopped the ship?" Caedus asked incredulously.

"I did. I figured I could since it does have my name on it."

Mara quipped, "You couldn't have made the braking a little softer?"

"Sorry, Aunt Mara. It's hard to judge physical form in this state."

Caedus reiterated, "Why am I the reason you're here?"

"Because you have strayed too far beyond the true meaning of the Force. So far, in fact, that no mortal can help you anymore."

"I need no help. I have reached Sith status on my own."

"I takes more than a sacrifice and throwing Force energy to become a Sith. You say you sacrificed Jacen Solo to become a Sith lord. All you did was purge Jacen's humanity. The ideals of Darth Caedus are empty. They have no purpose."

Through gritted teeth, Caedus cried, "My purpose is to have peace in the galaxy. There has to be sacrifices in order to do that."

"At the expense of your precious treasures?" asked Anakin.

Caedus looked confused at the reply. He furled his brow making the scar across his face bend awkwardly. "What treasures?"

"The ones inside this room as well as those who are en route to here as we speak." Anakin bent down to the same level as Allana. She gazed at him with curious wonderment. "And lest we forget, your greatest treasure."

The little blonde tilted her head. "You a hologram?"

Anakin laughed, striking the room with joyous remembrance at the forgotten sound. "Not exactly."

"But you are all blue like a hologram."

Anakin seemed to reconsider. "Perhaps it may look like that to you. I guess I could be a hologram. But the source is a far away place where there is endless magic."

"Really?" Her eyes brightened. "Can I go there?"

"Someday. Not for a long time, though." Anakin stood and looked at Caedus. "I'm thankful that I got to see my niece. She will be a great woman one day."

Caedus wryly added, "I know. I intend to teach her to be a powerful Sith leader."

Anakin's spirit edged closer to Caedus. "That is an impossibility. The child is too pure to be Sith. She knows nothing of loss or heartache. Did you believe your Embrace of Pain would give her that? She lacks the hard emotion needed in order to be Sith." Anakin glanced at his sister and uttered, "The grief of losing a brother, say for example."

Instantly, Jaina's heartache and grief of losing Anakin on Myrkr returned to her. It had pushed her over the edge into the dark side. She knew the cost of losing control of that pain only too well. She said through tears at her brother's spirit, "I'm sorry, Anakin."

"Don't be. You can't be sorry for being human. It's the catalyst for being a Sith lord."

"How do you figure that, brother," Caedus snarled.

"Human emotion," answered Mara. "Sith can't control it. Vader had his hatred of himself for decades. Palpatine had his anger. Those emotions anchored them to the Dark Side. Jacen never had that. For as long as I've known Jacen, he's always been in control of his emotions."

Caedus growled, "My emotions come through my pain. I cherish it."

Luke stated, "Pain isn't an emotion by itself. It's simply a feeling. Most people react to pain negatively. You treat pain as a passion and a thrill. But, Mara is right. True Sith cannot control their emotions. Haven't you ever wondered why most Sith lords are human? Vader. Palpatine. Exar Kun. Even Bane. None of them could control their emotions that sent them into the dark side. That is why they succumbed so easily. As I had once. That is why I believe that you, Jacen Solo, will never become a Sith Lord. You cannot decide to become a Sith lord because someone said you have to."

Anakin nodded in Luke's direction. "I see age has not withered your wisdom, Master."

Caedus burst out, "Nonsense! I do have strong emotions. I can control them and become a Sith lord. I am rewriting the rules."

Anakin explained, "There are no rules to the Sith except for one. The rule of two. You have no apprentice, Jacen. And the strong emotions you speak of? Those were created. You intended to murder your own Aunt as an act of sacrifice. Your pain comes from wounds inflicted by a crane crashing down on you. Yet, I sense no true emotion in you, Jacen. No anger. No hatred. No fear. Nothing. Is that the kind of leader you want to be? An empty shell of a man who wants his subjects to follow him blindly like you have with the crew of this ship?"

Caedus yelled, "I am more than a shell! You will see. I will teach my daughter the same way."

"No you won't," cried the little voice. "I'm not learning anything from you. You're too mean!"

Caedus softened his voice and directed it at Allana. "But, honey. I'm going to teach you to become a powerful lady like I told you."

Allana pouted. "But I don't wanna be powerful. I don't want to shoot sparks from my hands. They hurt people. Why can't I just be me?"

Caedus closed his eyes and ignored the admiration in the room for his daughter. "Honey, Daddy wants you to–"

"You are not my daddy! You need to get better to be my daddy."

Caedus had no words after that.

Anakin said proudly, "This little girl is wise beyond her years. And your plans for her to become Sith are destroyed. As you can see, she is already showing signs of the famous Solo defiance. And that will defeat your purpose."

Caedus muttered, "But, I didn't kill Mara. She tried to kill me. Her and Ben. They brought that crane down on me. It was then when I purged Jacen Solo from my system. I did succeed. I reached my purpose."

Mara shot back, "Funny, I thought your purpose was for peace in the galaxy. Did you change your mind already?"

Caedus narrowed his eyes at her. Before he could express his anger, Anakin's spirit stepped in between them. "This purging of Jacen Solo is your sacrifice? I cannot believe Jacen would allow that. You will always be Jacen Solo."

"No! Jacen is no more!"

Anakin reacted. "Then why do you refer to Allana as your daughter? She is not the daughter of Darth Caedus. She is Jacen Solo's daughter."

Caedus countered, "She is all what Jacen was."

"Fine," Anakin said. "If you still believe Jacen is gone, then answer one question."

"What question?"

"What do you call someone who brings a ranchor its dinner?"

Caedus closed his eyes and smiled weakly. "An appetizer."

Anakin came up closer to Caedus. His smirk was an echo of his father's. "See? There is the Jacen I know. You are a Sith in name only."

"How would you know?"

"I have the answers to many questions like that. Not like I'm going to reveal them to you anytime soon. That would be cheating. You will know them eventually. When we teach you."

"You mean after I'm dead? Like you?"

"Don't think of me as dead, brother. Remember the Jedi creed. There is no death. That is more true than you can ever know. I am not dead, nor am I alive. The path to that existence is straightforward." Anakin glanced to look directly at Mara and added, "Unless someone sends you away on a detour. Right, Aunt Mara?"

She gulped at Anakin's hint of her travels after her death. She was afraid she would have to elaborate. Instead, Anakin continued with Jacen.

"You are confused, Jacen. You have been manipulated. Lumiya's only purpose was revenge. Her damage to you has been done. Master Luke's attempts at your conversion were admirable. Even he realizes that it is too late for you to go on this way. You must be rehabilitated. There is only one way to do this."

Caedus grinned. "What if I don't want to be rehabilitated?"

Anakin replied plainly, "I didn't say you had a choice. You will take Ben Skywalker's place."

"What?" Mara gasped.

Caedus questioned, "I thought he was dead."

Anakin stated, "Ben is in between realms now. He is neither here nor there. He is a special boy forced to become a man too soon. Like I was. Ben doesn't belong where he is."

"Where is he?" cried Mara.

"You know where he is physically. He is still on Hapes in a deep trance."

Caedus shot a look at Mara. "You told me Ben died."

"Did I? You led yourself to that conclusion. Very sloppy for a Sith lord." She turned to Anakin. "I know where Ben is in person. Where is he in the Force? We can't sense him at all."

"That's because he has fully hidden himself in the Force. You see, he had only seconds to think before that Stealth exploded. All he could think to do was to immerse himself into the Force to protect him."

"Like a healing trance?" Jaina asked.

"He thought so," Anakin said. "What happened was during the impact, his hiding in the Force was heightened and it became more permanent."

"Is he all right there inside the Force?" Luke asked.

Anakin gave a wave of his hand and glanced behind them. "See for yourself."

In the far corner of the room, another blue-white image formed. It began to look like a human boy lying horizontally on a cushion of air. Ben Skywalker was not awake. He looked peaceful. Almost too peaceful. It looked too much like death to his mother, who went to his side.

"He's a Force ghost. That means he's–"

"Not dead, Aunt Mara," Anakin injected. "You have wondered yourself what would happen to someone who hides in the Force and stays in that state fully. This is the result. It is not a natural ability to use willingly." He glanced at Caedus. "It is only for those who wish to be invisible to others."

Mara placed her hand above the image of her son. She knew she couldn't touch him. That didn't mean her urge to hold him wasn't strong. "How do we get him out of this state?"

Anakin answered her. "We have to transfer his consciousness quickly. The longer he stays in that state, the harder it will be to get him out of it. We only need another to take his place." He looked directly at Caedus.

"No!" Caedus pleaded. "You're not taking me, brother. You said you couldn't get him out of the trance."

"I said it will be harder. That is only because of his young age and inexperience. Not like you. We can help you, Jacen. We can make you understand what you have been doing is wrong."

"No!" Caedus raised his hands in a poise to attack. "Don't make me do this, Anakin."

"You cannot harm me, Jacen," Anakin stated calmly.

"You haven't seen my full power yet. You're not giving me much choice."

"No, brother. We will teach you that there are many choices. Your days of dealing out pain are over. Your wounds should not be your badges of honor. You don't need them any longer." Anakin raised his hand. A blue-white glowing mist formed around Darth Caedus. The longer the mist appeared, the more relaxed Caedus became. His hands that were about to inflict pain went to his sides peacefully. With his eyes closed he seemed to be in a trance. Then, the long scar that went down across his face started to recede. It soon disappeared into his flesh. The other wounds on his arms and legs did the same. They were all clearing up at an alarming rate. Within minutes, there was no evidence on his body that the wounds ever existed. Although, his clothes were still dusty and in shreds. Jacen Solo emerged once again. He stayed silent in his catatonic state.

All of them looked on in shock.

Allana was the first to acknowledge the feat in words. "Now that's daddy!"

Luke confirmed, "Yes, it is."

Jaina cried out, "That works better than bacta."

Anakin lowered his hand and the glowing mist dissipated. Jacen's body went limp and it fell to the floor like a toy doll. Jaina went quickly to tend to her twin. She had to climb over the toppled desk and Alema Rar's dead body to get to him. She bent down to reach his pulse. "He's alive. His heart rate is slow."

Anakin explained, "He is beyond the Force now. Suspended not in death, but in life. He will be treated well with the discipline he has lacked over time."

Luke approached his nephew. "How long must he stay like this?"

"That depends on Jacen. It could take weeks. Months. Years. Mark my words, Master Luke, Jacen will not be released until we are sure he is ready to understand."

"Understand what, exactly?" asked Jaina.

"That the Force is not to be used as a political ploy or a power play. Vergere tried to make him understand that but he misunderstood."

Mara added, "And Lumiya took it from there."

"Yes," Anakin confirmed. "Now Vergere will have a second chance to teach him. On her own terms, not the Vong's."

Jaina thought to ask, "What do we do with Jacen on this side of the Force?"

Anakin replied, "Keep him safe. Physically, his condition looks rather like a coma. Don't you think?"

Luke suggested, "We better get a stretcher from the med lab." He went over to help Jaina with Jacen.

Anakin went over to Mara, who was still near the image of her son. As soon as Anakin hovered over her, Ben's image started to disappear. Soon, he was gone. She gasped, "What happened? Is he all right?"

Anakin replied softly to her, "He will be waiting for you."

"Thank you, Anakin."

"It is what you deserve after your...travels."

Mara was almost afraid to ask, "You know about where I went?"

Anakin explained, "I know your spirit traveled a great distance across the universe after your death. None of the others could see that far so we couldn't detect where you were exactly. It took us a while to understand. Then she told us what she did."

"She?"

"You know who I mean. It wasn't your time, Mara. You still have great things to accomplish here. You have been given a great gift, Aunt Mara. A second chance. We helped you get back to a time where you belong. With a few differences."

"You're telling me. Are there any more little differences?"

"A few more maybe. You'll just have to discover them on your own. I know you can adjust to them well."

Luke came over to say that he was going to help Jaina find a stretcher for Jacen. He asked Anakin about the crew of the ship.

"They will be released from Jacen's control soon. They will be aware that Jacen had done this to them, however."

Mara stated, "That might be an advantage to the galaxy. When people hear what he did to his crew and his attack on Kashyyyk they might see things differently."

Luke affirmed, "Jacen may just get his wish for peace in the galaxy after all."

"Let's not jump that far, Farmboy."

Allana ran up to Anakin and asked, "What will happen to my daddy?"

Luke and Mara froze in fear as to how to answer her.

Anakin gave the perfect reply. "You remember what you told that other man?"

"That mean one who had all those hurts on him? And he lied to me telling me my mommy died."

"I know. You told him that he had to get better before he was your daddy again. Well, that's what we're doing. We're making your daddy better."

"Oh. When can I have my daddy back?"

"I'm not sure, sweetie. It could be a while. You can still see him whenever you want. And I can tell you that when he does come back, he will be so glad to see you."

"He will?"

"Oh yes. There's something you can do for us, though. Whenever you do see your daddy, however often that is, you can give him a kiss on the cheek. That can really help us. Can you do that?"

Allana brightened. "I can do that! I can start now." She started to run toward Jacen, but she stopped and turned back at Anakin. "Will he know that I kissed him?"

"He will know," Anakin replied.

"Goodie!" As Allana ran to plant a kiss on the cheek of the comatose Jacen, Jaina came over to join Luke and Mara with Anakin. She stared back at her long lost brother's image. How long had she wished to see him again since she lost him?

Anakin spoke at once. "You didn't lose me, sis. I've always been right here." He pointed to the middle of her chest.

Jaina nodded and said through tears, "I can't tell you how good it is to see you again, Anakin. We will never see you like this again. Will we?"

"No," Anakin replied sadly. "This was a special circumstance. We will take good care of him. Be sure to tell Mom and Dad that."

Jaina cried, "I wish you could stay so they can see you."

Anakin stated, "They do see me. Everyday. Just as you do. Imagine their excitement when you tell them about your visit with me here."

"I already have it all etched in my mind. I love you, brother."

He lifted his hand close to her cheek and he flashed the famous Solo lopsided grin and said, "I know." He lowered his hand and looked at Luke and Mara. "Good luck, Master. And to you as well, Aunt Mara. I must go now." He turned to leave but stopped to tilt his head back at them. He requested, "And if it's not too much trouble, could you look into renaming this ship? It's kind of confusing."

Luke said back, "Top priority."

With that, Anakin Solo walked away and disappeared into the Force.

Within the next few days, the galaxy knew about Jacen Solo's intentions.

Leia and Han arrived with a full Hapan fleet headed by Tenel Ka herself. Allana ran to her mother with open arms. Because the knowledge of Allana's true parentage was limited to the Solo and Skywalker families, they agreed with Tenel Ka to keep it a secret.

Luke allowed Jaina to recount their visit with her brother's spirit. She explained to them what Anakin and others in the Force would be doing with Jacen. Leia took the news with a heavy heart and Han only asked what else Anakin said.

"He wants us to rename this ship," Jaina told him.

Han reacted with joy. "About time someone sensible spoke up. And it just had to be my other boy."

The crew of the soon to be renamed Anakin Solo were awakened from Jacen's control. Admiral Niathal felt so embarrassed that he could not see Jacen's true directive. The crew felt violated enough that they would be happy to see Jacen spend the rest of his days in the Kessel mines or in the virtual hell of Xian prison. They eventually accepted his current fate.

On the way back to Hapes, Luke and Mara received a feeling in the Force that brought them a full amount of joy. Ben was alert. Once they returned to the Hapes med lab, Mara found Ben sitting up near J1B and sipping on a plastic container of juri juice. She made a beeline towards him and threw her arms around him.

He returned the hug and said in her ear, "Guess I missed all the action."

Once the galaxy knew of what Lumiya and Jacen had been planning, the conflict between the Galactic Alliance and Corellia did start to fade. Corellians did want to fine tune their involvement with joining the GA. Chief of State Cal Omas already had plans to visit with Corellian officials on Corellia to show them trust. He appointed Han as an official liaison for the GA and Corellia, much to Han's dislike and his wife's delight. The GAG trooper division was dissolved and became the Coruscant Security Force. And the ban of Corellians on Coruscant was lifted. Things were slowly returning to normal. Most of Jacen and Lumiya's actions could be reversed. There were still some actions that could not be undone. There were thousands of Wookie deaths on Kashyyyk. Nelani's death was in the process of being reinvestigated in light of Jacen's admission of her murder. The scars of Darth Caedus may have disappeared, but their marks would be permanent.

Legally, the care for the body of Jacen Solo was up to Han and Leia. Neither of them knew what to do with him while their son was deep in a Force-induced coma. They thought of keeping him on Coruscant with them but there had been death threats after people found out that Jacen tried to be another dark Force user like Darth Vader. In addition, the Solos were fearful that Boba Fett would take revenge on Jacen for his murder of Fett's daughter.

Luke gave a suggestion and the Solos agreed.

At the new site of the Jedi Academy on Ossus, there was an unused storage room beside the med lab. Luke had that room cleared of debris and placed Jacen on a cot inside of it. He would have all his medical needs nearby, but Luke had another reason for the specific location. He had the door of the room purposely removed so it would always be open. The room was situated on the corner of a hallway that led to the main meditation room. Students would pass by there every day. Now they would always catch a glimpse of Jacen Solo lying in a coma. It would be a reminder to them of the price for choosing the path of the dark side.

Over the next week, Mara could sense the everlasting hope deep inside Luke that Jacen would return with an even greater knowledge of the Force. Sometimes she could feel a bit of envy from Luke because Jacen would be learning from the greatest Masters of the Force in history. Mara tried to reiterate to him what Anakin said about the discipline that Jacen so needed. It wouldn't be fun and games. Mara only wished that Jacen would come back with less delusions of Sith grandeur. Also she wished he would have no further urge to kill her. Despite her realistic view, Luke still had hope. She understood. She fell in love with the man who had constant hope.

The Skywalkers moved back into their apartment together on Coruscant. Ben was offered a position on the CSF, but he refused. He sought to continue his training as a Jedi on Ossus. Though, he did express that he would choose his Master more carefully.

While at their dinner table one night after Ben informed his parents of this, Luke thought to offer, "You know, I've been known to teach a few students here and there. I've never had an apprentice of my own as of yet. I'd be honored if you would be my first."

Ben considered and said, "Can I think on that, dad? There's a lot to process after all that's happened. To tell you the truth, my brain is mush right now."

"I understand. Take all the time you need. I'll be there." He paused as he placed a few liac peas in his mouth. After he chewed and swallowed, Luke warned, "However, if I ever see you with a Karpaki sniper rifle again, we will have some words."

"Mom!" Ben cried.

"Hey, he was going to find out eventually. Come on and eat your peas. Don't think I didn't notice you trying to hide them under your potatoes. I don't cook that bad."

Though Ben did grumble, they ate together without the fear of losing themselves. It would be a hard journey to regain their sense of family. They still had a ways to go. Mara remembered someone telling her how to begin a long journey. With a first step. Mara knew what that first step would be.

"Ben, do you still have my vibroblade?"

"Yeah. It's in my bag. You know I almost forgot it when I went out to come after you to Hapes?"

Mara stifled a nervous sigh and said, "You have no idea how grateful I am that you didn't. Would you object if I asked for it back?"

"Why? It is sort of cool. I looked on the Net and they don't make that model anymore. It sure was well made. Don't you think I need it anymore?"

"What would you use it for?"

Ben shrugged and said truthfully, "Showing off?"

Mara couldn't help hide her smile. Her son would become a great man someday. But just now he gave a kid's answer. That would be enough for now.

Ben said off her look, "Guess I really don't need it, then."

"No. I trust you now."

Mara and Luke went to bed that night and slept peacefully. Luke started to snore but the sound was now a pleasant music to her. Many nights in Mobile she wished she could remember the sound. She promised herself that if she did ever hear his snoring again, she would never complain about it. It was no longer annoying. It was a haunting reminder of what could have been. Somewhere in a separate time of existence there was a Luke Skywalker who was deep in grief over his wife's death. It just wasn't this time. When she finally realized what had happened to her over the past months, her eyes were open to whatever was possible. She doubted she would be given a third chance at cheating death.

Didi. Death herself helped her after all of her guidance. Mara slowly faded into deep sleep with endless gratitude.

She woke up abruptly to a bright clear day. The sun was shining down in a perfect golden glow. She was sitting on a park bench in the shade of a tall tree behind her. A worn path that winded along the green hills in both directions was before her. Across the way was a field where children of about Ben's age were playing. She spotted an average looking woman with black straight hair brushing the dust off of one boy. She could hear her.

"Lookit that, Benjamin. You got'cher self all dirty. Jeremi's gonna kick yer butt if you ain't cleaned up in time for tonight."

"I know, mama. He said he'd show me his gun tonight."

"Did he now?"

"It'll be unloaded."

"I don't care. I ain't having you touch no guns. If I catch you–" The woman suddenly stopped and began to see across the field to the red-haired woman sitting on the park bench. She wore a strange expression of recognition.

"Mama?" The boy followed his mother's line of sight to see the same woman. His eyes brightened. "You think that's her?"

"No. Can't be. She's long gone."

"How do you know?"

"Cuz, she found her purpose. Like I did." She took her hand and ran it through his hair and said, "Come on, let's get you ready."

She watched as the woman and her boy walked hand in hand further away from her.

"Hey there, sweet thing," said a sudden voice nearby.

She looked over on the bench and sitting next to her now was a pale young woman with black pants and shirt with raven-black unruly hair. She had her black umbrella open to shield her from the sun.

"Didi."

"Mara Jade. Boy, that was a trip, wasn't it? You died but your spirit travels across the universe into a coma patient in a distant galaxy. You solved the mystery of her coma. You come back into another time in your galaxy where you didn't die. You beat the bad guys and got your family back together again. What are you going to do now?"

"I seriously haven't thought that far ahead."

Didi leaned over and whispered, "You were supposed to say, 'I'm going to DisneyWorld.'"

"Where? Oh–more Earth allusions."

Didi sat back on the bench and said, "I worked with your relatives. Cool bunch. Especially that Anakin. The first one. He sure had a tragic story. That Yoda was freaky. I still don't know what species he is. Think about that. I don't know what he is."

"They're not my blood relatives."

"No. They're your family. They are your true treasures. You certainly found your purpose, Mara Jade Skywalker."

"Just as Mary Jane Skyler did. There are many things we'll have to work at. I guess that's the point of my purpose. I will forever be in your debt. When you do come to me for my next journey, I promise to go quietly."

"It turns out your detour wasn't your choice after all."

"No. It was yours. Thank you."

Didi looked over at Mara with surprise. "Me? Honey, I had nothing to do with that. I may have guided you after it happened and helped them find you but I didn't place you there."

"Then...who?"

Didi suddenly smiled and stood up to twirl in a circle. "Do you recognize this place?"

"It's Earth."

"Actually, across the field there is Earth. The bench, tree, and path is in another place. A system in your galaxy. Don't you remember the Sunless Land? My place? It can be anywhere at anytime. This is deep in your subconscious."

"I don't remember this place. It's beautiful. Quiet."

"It won't be soon. It's going to be overrun."

"By who?"

"Your future boss."

"Didi, I'm too old to have a boss anymore."

Didi looked upward in frustration. "Mara. Mara. Mara! You're thinking too linear again, girl. I said any time. You were too young here."

"Huh?"

Didi looked further up the path. "Ah, here comes someone who can explain things better. Though, you can only listen. Listen well. I know you will."

"What do you mean? Who is it?" Mara looked in the same direction but the figure was too far away. Mara turned her head back to ask Didi again but there was nobody there. Mara watched the approaching figure. The closer it reached her, the more she could tell that it was a woman in a silver tunic wearing a wide hood. She was pushing some kind of small hover-carriage. The woman reached the bench and sat down to catch her breath. She never acknowledged Mara sitting on the bench.

The woman spoke to whatever was inside the carriage. "Whew! I have to sit down, sweetheart. I do have something to tell you. I don't know if I'll have another chance. I can't tell if you can hear me or understand me. I believe you can do both." She lunged to hover over the opening of the carriage. "They are coming. They will eventually destroy this place. They will come and take the villagers away. Including me. But, I will be spared. I'm not a normal villager. I have abilities. I have visions of the future. I can move things with my mind. Don't ask me why. It's just the way things are. Your father never had them. I assume you will have these same abilities. He seems to think so. My abilities have given me more heartache than you will ever know. But they are what made him notice me. You will like him, I think. Underneath that power is a gentle soul. I just wanted you to know that whatever happens to me, it will not stop me from helping you in your greatest need. I will always be there for you. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you."

The young woman pulled down her hood to reveal red-gold flowing hair. She reached into the carriage to pick up the two-year-old baby. She brought the baby closer to her chest. She announced to her child with her brilliant green eyes sparkling, "You are my purpose, Mara Jade."

Mara could only mouth the words. No voice would come. "I have a mother."

Mara...

"Yes, mother."

Mara...

"I hear you, mother. I know about your sacrifice to save me."

Mara...

"It's all relative."

"Mara!"

She sat straight up in her bed. She looked over at her beloved husband looking worried. She could feel the traces of tear stains running down her cheeks.

"Mara, you were having a nightmare or something. I was trying to wake you for a while."

"I was in a deep sleep," she muttered, still stunned.

"I could tell. What were you dreaming? I couldn't get any images from it."

"It wasn't a nightmare."

"But you were crying."

"Tears of joy."

"What do you remember?"

She swallowed to keep her mouth from getting dry. "My mother. I saw my mother, Luke."

Luke's mouth gaped open. "Are you sure?"

"Never more in my life. She did it. She took me across the universe. She didn't let me die. She helped me in my greatest need."

"Honey, I don't know what you're talking about."

Mara looked down at the sheets. The initial shock was over. "The details are fading away now. I just remember feelings. Emotions. Good ones."

Luke looked at his wife and took his hand to brush away a strand of red-gold hair from her eyes. "I'm familiar with those. All we've been through in the past months was catching up to you. We've been surrounded by stress for–"

"All our lives?"

"Pretty much."

"Don't ask me why, but I have an idea what we can rename the Anakin Solo."

"Really?"

"We can call it The Purpose."

"Nice. Simple. I like it. Listen, while we're up, I was thinking on something. How quickly can you pack in the morning?"

She looked at him in panic. "Luke, we're not going to join Omas to Corellia. Han's got that covered–"

"I was thinking more along the lines of the Faschia system."

Her brow crinkled at him but her lips were in a devious smile. "There's nothing there but beaches. With a rather large resort. What kind of mission will that be?"

"The Skywalker Family mission. Though, I prefer to use the term vacation. Just the three of us. No politics. No Jedi lessons. No talk of the dark side or the Sith. Just us. And the beach."

Mara couldn't resist wrapping her arms around him in complete joy.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"No," Mara said. "That's you bet'cher ass."

"There's that strange accent again. You spoke it on Polis Massa too." Luke held her at arms length. "I overheard something Anakin said to you about a detour. And you just spoke about your mother not letting you die. What else happened in this vision you had on the way to Hapes?"

Mara reached for the covers and got under them to go back to sleep. She bemused him with the answer, "Oh, honey–that is a long story."

THE END !!