Okay, this is sort of short, but it's mostly a bridging chapie; the wave of
darkness will come soon . . . . *grin*
*********************************************************************
The Past Returns
Chapter Twelve
-A New Beginning -
Journal Entry 18: "My one and only friend. Damon. I realize that now. I've finally realized how far I had gone down the dark path. But it's too late. I should have listened. I can't believe that I had been so ruthless. I feel so different now. So alone. I might as well just disappear. It'd make everyone happy. Whoever reads this, I hope they don't make the same mistake I did."
Ben finally ended up going to Tatooine, where he became a trader. He put his lightsaber in a chained box, hidden in the sand that was the floor of his home. Ben often traded with Watto, and Ben enjoyed watching Anakin Skywalker grow up. Anakin often helped Ben when he needed something fixed. The years passed and soon Ben was forty-seven.
* * *
Ben sat in his living room, on the floor, parts scattered around him. Ben began working, wielding parts together. Hours later, Ben stepped back, looking at his finished product. He had always been handy with machines and he had stolen plans when he had been younger from a planet in the outer rim. Using the plans, he had built the chamber. It was a revitalizing chamber. A person need only to step inside and they would fall into a deep sleep. When they awoke, they would be years younger. They would awaken and remember their name but only that. And that person would have a whole new life, free of the life they had had once before.
Ben looked around, thinking. If only he could go back in time and change everything. Fix his relationship with Damon. Damon. He missed him so much. How could he have been so cruel and heartless to his best friend and brother on top of that? If only he could go back and never go with Tahiri. Then all those people that he had killed, the Jedi that he had murdered ruthlessly, would still be alive. If only he could have been more aware that he was falling into the dark side and he had listened to Damon. Damon had been trying to warn him and Ben hadn't listened. And the result from that selfish act had cost the lives of millions. Tears ran down Ben's cheeks as he thought about what he had done. He had been so heartless then. He had killed millions without a care in the world. Had the dark side changed him that much? That guilt would hang over Ben for the rest of his life but if he chose to go through with this and test the chamber, then he wouldn't remember a thing. Then he could go back to being a kid again with a future ahead of him and try to do everything better.
Journal Entry 19: "I know I haven't written for awhile, but so much has been happening. I hope I'm making the right decision, about using the chamber and beginning a whole new life. It broke my heart in two when Damon spoke to me so venomously and I don't want the guilt of destroying all of those innocent lives hanging over my head. If I make it and do begin a new life, then I will have a chance to at least correct some of my past. I know Damon will be gone but his son Obi-Wan should still be alive. If I can train with him and become a Jedi Knight, then maybe I can help people, if I still retained my abilities after coming out of the chamber, instead of destroying people's lives. When I awake, I will have no memory of my past life but maybe, when I'm older, I'll read this and remember my past and know how far along I have come. Who knows? Maybe I'll even meet Luke Skywalker. That would be awesome. I had always wanted to meet him but I figured I never was since I thought he was fictional. Well, the night is coming and I want to be done with this before it comes. Goodbye, and to my future self, good luck."
Ben took the chained box that held his lightsaber and chained it to his side. He stepped inside the chamber in his burnoose clothing and laid back, hugging the journal against his chest. The clear glass door closed, turning brown, matching the sand. It would go unnoticed to any unwelcoming visitors. Ben closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
When Ben awoke, he looked up at a rocky surface. Where was he? he thought, sitting up. He stood, brushing the sand off of his burnoose clothing. He felt something weighing him down and looked to see a large box chained to his side. He unchained the box and sat down again, looking at it. He tried to open it but it was wrapped in chains that didn't budge. He shook his head and stood, holding it under one arm as he looked around. Then he noticed a red, leather bound journal sitting on the sandy floor, covered in sand. He picked it up and brushed it off. He wondered who's it was. He shrugged and opened it. In it there were nineteen entries and they were dated over thirty years ago. His lips moved silently as he read the first entry: 'My name is Ben Kenobi and my best friend Damon Lars and I are totally into this series of movies called Star Wars. I'm seven and Damon is ten and we've been friends and fans forever. If you were to go into my room, you'd be in shock. Not an inch of wall or ceiling . . . .' That's my name! Ben remembered. I wonder who wrote this.
He closed it and left the cave and went outside into the hot Tatooine suns, his bare feet moving swiftly across the sands. He found another cave, a much larger one, and set up a survival kit and then left. He began walking around and noticed a small hut in the distance. That was Old Ben's hut, the hermit. Ben had never actually met the man and he was a little afraid to. Ben looked up at the sky, sighing. He wished he could be out there, flying to other planets. He just wanted off of this rock. It would never happen, he thought, shaking his head. Ben began walking and then he heard a loud shout. He raced towards the sound and found a small boy standing, holding a stick as about twelve Tusken Raiders surrounded him.
* * *
A figure stood on top of the ridge, watching as a boy ran towards the small boy that was holding a stick, waving it at the Tusken Raiders. The little boy was Luke Skywalker. The boy lived with his uncle and aunt on their moisture farm. The figure watched in silence as the boy that had come to help Luke began throwing large stones at the Tusken Raiders. Every single rock hit its target. The figure pulled his hood over his face, thinking. The boy reminded him of who he had used to be. Years back, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker's father, had betrayed him in the worst possible way. Obi-Wan watched as the Tusken Raiders fled. The kid may have some Force potential. If he does, I'll have to watch him. Obi-Wan thought. He may have been sixty-three years old, but he was still able enough to watch out for the kid. The untrained ones had a more likely chance to go dark and he figured that if he could, he'd try to train the kid a little. Obi- Wan turned and walked back towards his hut.
* * *
Ben walked up to the boy. "We'd better get out of here before they come back. They're easily startled but they'll be back with more." The boy nodded and followed Ben as they headed back to Ben's cave. Ben looked at the boy as they ran. They boy had light blond hair and ice-blue eyes and looked to be about five or six years old.
When they got to his cave, they sat around a campfire that Ben built within minutes. "So, what were you doing out there in the Dune Sea?" Ben asked, munching on a ration bar. The boy took a package out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a couple of days rations. He began eating.
"I was hunting womp rats with my friend Biggs, but then he had to go, so I started home. As I was heading home, the Tusken Raiders surrounded me. By the way thanks for helping me."
"Anytime. What's your name?"
"Luke Skywalker."
Something flickered in Ben's memory . . . that name. It sounded so familiar but that couldn't be. He hadn't even known Luke until now. "Cool. My name's Ben. How old are you?"
"Seven. You?"
"Seven. Isn't that weird?"
Luke smiled. "Yeah."
"So, where do you live?"
"With my aunt and uncle. They're moisture farmers."
"Sounds so fun," Ben said sarcastically.
"Oh, yeah, tons of fun. Well," Luke said, standing. "I'd better get home. They'll get worried."
"Good meeting you."
"You too. Thanks again."
Ben nodded as Luke left. Ben sat there, thinking. If only he had family he could turn to. Luke was so lucky. Ben leaned back and his hand hit something. He looked to see the box. He took it in his lap and fiddled with the chains, trying to open them, but it was no use. Then he looked out the entrance of the cave. He could see Old Ben's hut in the distance. Maybe Old Ben can open it. Ben thought. He stood, grabbing the box, and ran towards Old Ben's hut in the diminishing light.
* * *
Obi-Wan sat in his hut, looking out the hole cut into the side of his hut that served as a window. He watched as Tatooine's two suns set, sinking slowly over the horizon. Then he thought about Anakin and all the memories came flooding back. Obi-Wan had tried. And he had failed. He had thought that he could train Anakin as well as Master Yoda and the others. And look what had happened. Anakin had gone over to the dark side and become Darth Vader. It hurt Obi-Wan so much to think about it. All his hopes had been crushed. The betrayal he had felt was more than enough to snap his heart in two. But at least Obi-Wan had hope in Anakin's son, Luke. Luke had the potential to become a great Jedi Knight, but also the potential to go dark, like his father. That's why Obi-Wan had had Anakin's step-brother, Owen Lars, take Luke in. This way, Luke could be with his aunt and uncle and Obi-Wan could watch over Luke easily.
Obi-Wan's mind drifted to earlier that afternoon when he had seen that boy rescue Luke. He had noticed something strange about the kid and when the kid threw with such accuracy, Obi-Wan sensed the boy had used the Force, unconsciously. Obi-Wan would have to watch that kid too.
Obi-Wan's head turned as he heard footsteps. A boy walked into his hut. He recognized the boy as the same one that had rescued Luke. Obi-Wan stood. "Can I help you?" Obi-Wan asked. He looked down to see the chained box in the boy's hands. "You need help opening that?" The boy nodded and handed Obi-Wan the box. Obi-Wan took it over to his work table and took out a long metal bar. "What's your name?"
"Ben," the boy said hesitantly.
"Do you have a last name?"
"Not that I can remember."
Obi-Wan looked at the boy curiously. He turned back to the box and hit the bar against the chains. The chains snapped and Obi-Wan pulled them off of the box. He saw the boy come up behind him, watching intently. Obi-Wan opened the box and had to calm himself down when he saw what was in it. Obi-Wan took out the long, duel-bladed lightsaber and turned it over in his hands. He knew who this had belonged to. Ben Kenobi, his father's brother and enemy: the one who had killed his mother. Obi-Wan looked at the boy, thinking. If this is Ben Kenobi's lightsaber, then maybe this boy is his son. Obi-Wan thought. If so, that would explain the Force potential the kid has. But that wouldn't be possible, unless it's his grandson because there would be no way for his son to be this young.
"Can you take me to where you live?" Obi-Wan asked.
The boy shrugged. "Sure," he said. Then he looked at the lightsaber that Obi-Wan held in his hands. "Did you figure out what that was?"
"It's an heirloom that, if I'm correct, was your father's."
"You know where my father is?" The look on the boy's face was enough to make Obi-Wan cry. A look of hopefulness that the kid could have a family because, obviously, the kid was an orphan.
"He died a long time ago."
The boy's face looked crestfallen. Then he turned and motioned for Obi-Wan to follow him. Obi-Wan set the lightsaber back into the box and took the box as he followed Ben towards where the boy lived.
Obi-Wan's heart bled for the kid when he saw where Ben lived. It was a small cave with a burnt out campfire in the center. Nothing for warmth at night except the fire. He watched the boy walk towards the back of the cave, which was in shadow. Obi-Wan followed and he saw a chamber sitting in the back of the cave. As he looked over it, he could figure out what had happened. Obviously, Ben Kenobi had put his son, Ben, into this stasis chamber so that the kid could grow up without the influence of the dark side. Then Ben Kenobi had a heart, at least a little. Obi-Wan thought surprisingly. He must have cared a lot about his son. Ben Kenobi had to have known that when Ben awoke, Ben's father would have been dead. On behalf of Ben Kenobi, Obi-Wan knew he had to help the kid. Even thought his father wasn't the nicest person, that didn't mean that Ben wasn't nice. Though Obi-Wan knew that he would have to watch over Ben. Obi-Wan turned to Ben, not noticing that the chamber had turned to dust. "Ben, would you like to live with a family?" Obi-Wan asked. He smiled watching as Ben's face lit up.
"Really?! A real family! Like Luke?"
Obi-Wan laughed. "Yes, just like Luke."
"Cool! When? Now?!"
Obi-Wan held up his hand. "Not just yet. I have to make the arrangements. But, if all goes well, maybe by tomorrow."
"Will I have a brother and a sister?! Will I have a mom and dad?!"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, laughing. Ben began jumping around the cave, letting out whoops of joy. Obi-Wan smiled. This kid was nothing like his father. This Ben was sweet and so . . . innocent. "I'll see you in the morning."
Ben was so wrapped up in his excitement that he didn't notice as Obi-Wan left.
* * *
The next morning, Ben awoke to see Old Ben, who he knew now his name was Obi-Wan, standing next to him. Ben stood. "Do I get to meet my family now?" Obi-Wan smiled, nodding. "Yes!" Ben said, jumping up in the air. Then he gathered up his belongings and slung them over one shoulder and followed Obi-Wan outside into a hover car. They climbed in and headed past the Dune Sea to a large moisture farm. Ben watched as a man and woman walked out of the adobe home, shaped like an igloo, and waited. When the hover car had stopped, Ben climbed out and walked up to them.
"You must be Ben," the woman said. "I'm Tahiri, and hopefully, in time, you'll come to call me mother."
Ben smiled and hugged her. "I'll do that right away, mom," Ben said.
Tahiri hugged Ben, smiling. She looked at Obi-Wan and nodded. Ben pulled away and looked at the man.
"I'm Charles, or dad if you wish. Ben Kenobi here mentioned that you needed a home and asked us to take you in. He told us that you were a sweet boy and we were more than glad to take you in as our son."
Ben smiled and hugged Charles. Kenobi?! Ben thought. Why did that sound so familiar? "Thank you, dad," Ben said. Charles smiled.
"Well, I'll leave you then. Ben, you take good care of yourself," Obi-Wan said. Ben turned to him and tears appeared in his eyes. "Why are you crying?"
"Will I see you again?" Ben sniffled.
"Of course," Obi-Wan said, hugging Ben. "I live not far from here and you can come visit me whenever you wish. This way, I can watch over you, like I do Luke."
Ben nodded. "Promise you won't leave me?"
Obi-Wan smiled as they pulled apart. "I won't leave you, I promise."
Ben smiled and went and stood by his new parents, waving as Obi-Wan sped away.
*********************************************************************
The Past Returns
Chapter Twelve
-A New Beginning -
Journal Entry 18: "My one and only friend. Damon. I realize that now. I've finally realized how far I had gone down the dark path. But it's too late. I should have listened. I can't believe that I had been so ruthless. I feel so different now. So alone. I might as well just disappear. It'd make everyone happy. Whoever reads this, I hope they don't make the same mistake I did."
Ben finally ended up going to Tatooine, where he became a trader. He put his lightsaber in a chained box, hidden in the sand that was the floor of his home. Ben often traded with Watto, and Ben enjoyed watching Anakin Skywalker grow up. Anakin often helped Ben when he needed something fixed. The years passed and soon Ben was forty-seven.
* * *
Ben sat in his living room, on the floor, parts scattered around him. Ben began working, wielding parts together. Hours later, Ben stepped back, looking at his finished product. He had always been handy with machines and he had stolen plans when he had been younger from a planet in the outer rim. Using the plans, he had built the chamber. It was a revitalizing chamber. A person need only to step inside and they would fall into a deep sleep. When they awoke, they would be years younger. They would awaken and remember their name but only that. And that person would have a whole new life, free of the life they had had once before.
Ben looked around, thinking. If only he could go back in time and change everything. Fix his relationship with Damon. Damon. He missed him so much. How could he have been so cruel and heartless to his best friend and brother on top of that? If only he could go back and never go with Tahiri. Then all those people that he had killed, the Jedi that he had murdered ruthlessly, would still be alive. If only he could have been more aware that he was falling into the dark side and he had listened to Damon. Damon had been trying to warn him and Ben hadn't listened. And the result from that selfish act had cost the lives of millions. Tears ran down Ben's cheeks as he thought about what he had done. He had been so heartless then. He had killed millions without a care in the world. Had the dark side changed him that much? That guilt would hang over Ben for the rest of his life but if he chose to go through with this and test the chamber, then he wouldn't remember a thing. Then he could go back to being a kid again with a future ahead of him and try to do everything better.
Journal Entry 19: "I know I haven't written for awhile, but so much has been happening. I hope I'm making the right decision, about using the chamber and beginning a whole new life. It broke my heart in two when Damon spoke to me so venomously and I don't want the guilt of destroying all of those innocent lives hanging over my head. If I make it and do begin a new life, then I will have a chance to at least correct some of my past. I know Damon will be gone but his son Obi-Wan should still be alive. If I can train with him and become a Jedi Knight, then maybe I can help people, if I still retained my abilities after coming out of the chamber, instead of destroying people's lives. When I awake, I will have no memory of my past life but maybe, when I'm older, I'll read this and remember my past and know how far along I have come. Who knows? Maybe I'll even meet Luke Skywalker. That would be awesome. I had always wanted to meet him but I figured I never was since I thought he was fictional. Well, the night is coming and I want to be done with this before it comes. Goodbye, and to my future self, good luck."
Ben took the chained box that held his lightsaber and chained it to his side. He stepped inside the chamber in his burnoose clothing and laid back, hugging the journal against his chest. The clear glass door closed, turning brown, matching the sand. It would go unnoticed to any unwelcoming visitors. Ben closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
When Ben awoke, he looked up at a rocky surface. Where was he? he thought, sitting up. He stood, brushing the sand off of his burnoose clothing. He felt something weighing him down and looked to see a large box chained to his side. He unchained the box and sat down again, looking at it. He tried to open it but it was wrapped in chains that didn't budge. He shook his head and stood, holding it under one arm as he looked around. Then he noticed a red, leather bound journal sitting on the sandy floor, covered in sand. He picked it up and brushed it off. He wondered who's it was. He shrugged and opened it. In it there were nineteen entries and they were dated over thirty years ago. His lips moved silently as he read the first entry: 'My name is Ben Kenobi and my best friend Damon Lars and I are totally into this series of movies called Star Wars. I'm seven and Damon is ten and we've been friends and fans forever. If you were to go into my room, you'd be in shock. Not an inch of wall or ceiling . . . .' That's my name! Ben remembered. I wonder who wrote this.
He closed it and left the cave and went outside into the hot Tatooine suns, his bare feet moving swiftly across the sands. He found another cave, a much larger one, and set up a survival kit and then left. He began walking around and noticed a small hut in the distance. That was Old Ben's hut, the hermit. Ben had never actually met the man and he was a little afraid to. Ben looked up at the sky, sighing. He wished he could be out there, flying to other planets. He just wanted off of this rock. It would never happen, he thought, shaking his head. Ben began walking and then he heard a loud shout. He raced towards the sound and found a small boy standing, holding a stick as about twelve Tusken Raiders surrounded him.
* * *
A figure stood on top of the ridge, watching as a boy ran towards the small boy that was holding a stick, waving it at the Tusken Raiders. The little boy was Luke Skywalker. The boy lived with his uncle and aunt on their moisture farm. The figure watched in silence as the boy that had come to help Luke began throwing large stones at the Tusken Raiders. Every single rock hit its target. The figure pulled his hood over his face, thinking. The boy reminded him of who he had used to be. Years back, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker's father, had betrayed him in the worst possible way. Obi-Wan watched as the Tusken Raiders fled. The kid may have some Force potential. If he does, I'll have to watch him. Obi-Wan thought. He may have been sixty-three years old, but he was still able enough to watch out for the kid. The untrained ones had a more likely chance to go dark and he figured that if he could, he'd try to train the kid a little. Obi- Wan turned and walked back towards his hut.
* * *
Ben walked up to the boy. "We'd better get out of here before they come back. They're easily startled but they'll be back with more." The boy nodded and followed Ben as they headed back to Ben's cave. Ben looked at the boy as they ran. They boy had light blond hair and ice-blue eyes and looked to be about five or six years old.
When they got to his cave, they sat around a campfire that Ben built within minutes. "So, what were you doing out there in the Dune Sea?" Ben asked, munching on a ration bar. The boy took a package out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a couple of days rations. He began eating.
"I was hunting womp rats with my friend Biggs, but then he had to go, so I started home. As I was heading home, the Tusken Raiders surrounded me. By the way thanks for helping me."
"Anytime. What's your name?"
"Luke Skywalker."
Something flickered in Ben's memory . . . that name. It sounded so familiar but that couldn't be. He hadn't even known Luke until now. "Cool. My name's Ben. How old are you?"
"Seven. You?"
"Seven. Isn't that weird?"
Luke smiled. "Yeah."
"So, where do you live?"
"With my aunt and uncle. They're moisture farmers."
"Sounds so fun," Ben said sarcastically.
"Oh, yeah, tons of fun. Well," Luke said, standing. "I'd better get home. They'll get worried."
"Good meeting you."
"You too. Thanks again."
Ben nodded as Luke left. Ben sat there, thinking. If only he had family he could turn to. Luke was so lucky. Ben leaned back and his hand hit something. He looked to see the box. He took it in his lap and fiddled with the chains, trying to open them, but it was no use. Then he looked out the entrance of the cave. He could see Old Ben's hut in the distance. Maybe Old Ben can open it. Ben thought. He stood, grabbing the box, and ran towards Old Ben's hut in the diminishing light.
* * *
Obi-Wan sat in his hut, looking out the hole cut into the side of his hut that served as a window. He watched as Tatooine's two suns set, sinking slowly over the horizon. Then he thought about Anakin and all the memories came flooding back. Obi-Wan had tried. And he had failed. He had thought that he could train Anakin as well as Master Yoda and the others. And look what had happened. Anakin had gone over to the dark side and become Darth Vader. It hurt Obi-Wan so much to think about it. All his hopes had been crushed. The betrayal he had felt was more than enough to snap his heart in two. But at least Obi-Wan had hope in Anakin's son, Luke. Luke had the potential to become a great Jedi Knight, but also the potential to go dark, like his father. That's why Obi-Wan had had Anakin's step-brother, Owen Lars, take Luke in. This way, Luke could be with his aunt and uncle and Obi-Wan could watch over Luke easily.
Obi-Wan's mind drifted to earlier that afternoon when he had seen that boy rescue Luke. He had noticed something strange about the kid and when the kid threw with such accuracy, Obi-Wan sensed the boy had used the Force, unconsciously. Obi-Wan would have to watch that kid too.
Obi-Wan's head turned as he heard footsteps. A boy walked into his hut. He recognized the boy as the same one that had rescued Luke. Obi-Wan stood. "Can I help you?" Obi-Wan asked. He looked down to see the chained box in the boy's hands. "You need help opening that?" The boy nodded and handed Obi-Wan the box. Obi-Wan took it over to his work table and took out a long metal bar. "What's your name?"
"Ben," the boy said hesitantly.
"Do you have a last name?"
"Not that I can remember."
Obi-Wan looked at the boy curiously. He turned back to the box and hit the bar against the chains. The chains snapped and Obi-Wan pulled them off of the box. He saw the boy come up behind him, watching intently. Obi-Wan opened the box and had to calm himself down when he saw what was in it. Obi-Wan took out the long, duel-bladed lightsaber and turned it over in his hands. He knew who this had belonged to. Ben Kenobi, his father's brother and enemy: the one who had killed his mother. Obi-Wan looked at the boy, thinking. If this is Ben Kenobi's lightsaber, then maybe this boy is his son. Obi-Wan thought. If so, that would explain the Force potential the kid has. But that wouldn't be possible, unless it's his grandson because there would be no way for his son to be this young.
"Can you take me to where you live?" Obi-Wan asked.
The boy shrugged. "Sure," he said. Then he looked at the lightsaber that Obi-Wan held in his hands. "Did you figure out what that was?"
"It's an heirloom that, if I'm correct, was your father's."
"You know where my father is?" The look on the boy's face was enough to make Obi-Wan cry. A look of hopefulness that the kid could have a family because, obviously, the kid was an orphan.
"He died a long time ago."
The boy's face looked crestfallen. Then he turned and motioned for Obi-Wan to follow him. Obi-Wan set the lightsaber back into the box and took the box as he followed Ben towards where the boy lived.
Obi-Wan's heart bled for the kid when he saw where Ben lived. It was a small cave with a burnt out campfire in the center. Nothing for warmth at night except the fire. He watched the boy walk towards the back of the cave, which was in shadow. Obi-Wan followed and he saw a chamber sitting in the back of the cave. As he looked over it, he could figure out what had happened. Obviously, Ben Kenobi had put his son, Ben, into this stasis chamber so that the kid could grow up without the influence of the dark side. Then Ben Kenobi had a heart, at least a little. Obi-Wan thought surprisingly. He must have cared a lot about his son. Ben Kenobi had to have known that when Ben awoke, Ben's father would have been dead. On behalf of Ben Kenobi, Obi-Wan knew he had to help the kid. Even thought his father wasn't the nicest person, that didn't mean that Ben wasn't nice. Though Obi-Wan knew that he would have to watch over Ben. Obi-Wan turned to Ben, not noticing that the chamber had turned to dust. "Ben, would you like to live with a family?" Obi-Wan asked. He smiled watching as Ben's face lit up.
"Really?! A real family! Like Luke?"
Obi-Wan laughed. "Yes, just like Luke."
"Cool! When? Now?!"
Obi-Wan held up his hand. "Not just yet. I have to make the arrangements. But, if all goes well, maybe by tomorrow."
"Will I have a brother and a sister?! Will I have a mom and dad?!"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, laughing. Ben began jumping around the cave, letting out whoops of joy. Obi-Wan smiled. This kid was nothing like his father. This Ben was sweet and so . . . innocent. "I'll see you in the morning."
Ben was so wrapped up in his excitement that he didn't notice as Obi-Wan left.
* * *
The next morning, Ben awoke to see Old Ben, who he knew now his name was Obi-Wan, standing next to him. Ben stood. "Do I get to meet my family now?" Obi-Wan smiled, nodding. "Yes!" Ben said, jumping up in the air. Then he gathered up his belongings and slung them over one shoulder and followed Obi-Wan outside into a hover car. They climbed in and headed past the Dune Sea to a large moisture farm. Ben watched as a man and woman walked out of the adobe home, shaped like an igloo, and waited. When the hover car had stopped, Ben climbed out and walked up to them.
"You must be Ben," the woman said. "I'm Tahiri, and hopefully, in time, you'll come to call me mother."
Ben smiled and hugged her. "I'll do that right away, mom," Ben said.
Tahiri hugged Ben, smiling. She looked at Obi-Wan and nodded. Ben pulled away and looked at the man.
"I'm Charles, or dad if you wish. Ben Kenobi here mentioned that you needed a home and asked us to take you in. He told us that you were a sweet boy and we were more than glad to take you in as our son."
Ben smiled and hugged Charles. Kenobi?! Ben thought. Why did that sound so familiar? "Thank you, dad," Ben said. Charles smiled.
"Well, I'll leave you then. Ben, you take good care of yourself," Obi-Wan said. Ben turned to him and tears appeared in his eyes. "Why are you crying?"
"Will I see you again?" Ben sniffled.
"Of course," Obi-Wan said, hugging Ben. "I live not far from here and you can come visit me whenever you wish. This way, I can watch over you, like I do Luke."
Ben nodded. "Promise you won't leave me?"
Obi-Wan smiled as they pulled apart. "I won't leave you, I promise."
Ben smiled and went and stood by his new parents, waving as Obi-Wan sped away.