Entry 41. Coruscant.

Chin brought me to Coruscant and I ended up getting a room for the week at one of the local hotels that survived the onslaught. It is near the Monument Plaza so I took a walk down to the Manarairestaurant. I was hoping that Kira would be there, but she hadn't shown up. I did talk to the co-owner of the establishment. He said his business partner had died in the recent Imperial attack and the heirs to his estate were looking to sell their shares. Despite the restaurant's excellent reputation, the possibility of more military skirmishes had scared off investors.

To make a very long story short…I am now half owner (and silent partner) of the Manarairestaurant. I think Chin would be surprised I was able to spend all my reward money before he did. But in Chin's defense, it is hard to fritter away 200,000 credits quickly when you are shelling them out a credit at a time into a dancing girl's skimpy outfit.

This really was an impulse purchase….and after some thought I wondered if it was a good move…because I realized the only reason I did it was to remain close to Kira. Damn, if our relationship doesn't work out then I am going to look like a desperate creepy stalker. I need to stop stalling and tell her I'm a clone. I dread it because there is a very good chance she will end our relationship.

I need to keep the fact that I am a restaurateur a secret. I don't want Kira to feel pressured. She shouldn't fear that her job would be in jeopardy if she dumps me. Not that there would be any possibility of that happening…me firing her that is…I am not so sure about the dumping part. I would understand if she didn't want to be with me.

Entry 42. Coruscant

Kira showed up at the restaurant later that day. I asked one of the staff members to let me know when she arrived. I quickly went over to see her. We have dinner and then I asked her if she wanted to come over to my hotel room. She hesitates only for a moment before she says yes.

I know what she's thinking… this is the day I am going to make my move. But no, it's just time for her to find out about my past…or lack thereof.

The room I rented has a living area with a separate bedroom. So we sit on the couch and watch a holo first. I brought out a glass of wine for her and a non-alcoholic version for me. We make small talk…stang, I know I was stalling.

Finally I stop and turn to her. I reach out and hold her hands and gaze into her eyes. "Kira…" I said hesitantly. "I really like you."

She tells me she feels the same. Now she has that nervous look on her face. She's waiting for the "but.."

"But, there's something you should know."

I guess I hesitated a little too long before continuing because she ventured a guess.

"You're seeing somebody else, aren't you?"

I look shocked. "What? No."

She gets a grief-stricken look on her face. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"No, no," I say. "Stop, Kira. Let me finish." I pause again, gathering my courage. "I'm a clone."

She gives me an incredulous look. "What?"

"You know how the Emperor had a lot of clones…I'm a clone…not one of Palpatine's but another dark Force user created me."

She just sits there dumbfounded.

I am getting very nervous right now. "Kira, what are you thinking?"

"I don't know what I'm thinking Mark. It sounds like something a guy would make up when he wants to break up with a girl gently. "It's not you, it's me…I'm a dark Force user's clone."

I have to chuckle. It does sound like a lie. "It's true, Kira. Luke and Han found me in stasis on the planet Wayland. You can ask them."

She sits back stunned. She could easily verify this with Luke, so she knows I'm serious. "You're not joking are you?" She turned and looked intently at my face. "Do you know who you are a clone of?"

Okay, this was the hard part. "I'm ahh… a Luke Skywalker clone."

She rolls her eyes and huffs. "Mark, I don't know why you are lying to me, but this is not funny!"

"My hair and irises are dyed, but look at my face, look at the facial structure."

She shakes her head. "You look nothing like Luke Skywalker. He comes up to your shoulder."

"Kira, I know I look different. You remember the Imperial Sentinels at the Citadel. I believe I was designed to be a Skywalker version of one of those mutated clones. I am pretty sure my fate was to be chemically lobotomized and muted. I was supposed to be one of those…things. Luckily, Luke's strike team saved me."

She gives me a pained look and then closed her eyes. "I feel a little nauseous."

That is notwhat I wanted to hear. Now I feel sick to my stomach. I try to reign in my emotions but I know my heart is breaking. I stand and try to get some distance from the source of my despair. "I'm sorry Kira. I should have told you sooner. It was wrong of me to toy with your emotions. I knew my origins would be a problem. I hope we can at least be friends."

I gaze over to her and she has a look of panic on her face. "Mark I didn't mean…you misunderstood…I feel ill because I'm sick at the thought of what might have happened to you if Luke didn't find you in time." Her eyes welled up with tears. "I had contact with the Citadel's Sentinels and what Palpatine did to those men was heartbreaking. I couldn't imagine somebody as wonderful as you being turned into a mindless slave…that would be a horrifying fate." She walked over and wrapped me in a reassuring hug. "Mark, it doesn't matter where you came from, you're here with me, and that's all that matters. I love you just the way you are."

A feeling of elation surges through my body and a smile spreads across my face.

She pulled back and looked at me questioningly. "Are there any other surprises you have for me?"

I think for a few seconds. "I'm just over three months old."

She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Okay... I don't think the Child Protection Division will arrest me for contributing to the delinquency of a minor when it comes to you."

I smile. "I'm also a virgin."

She laughs and kisses me. "That's one problem that's easily resolved."

...I would write more, but I'm a gentleman.