Bail Organa dropped his light slate on his desk the moment the familiar robed figure stepped out from one of the side doors. Pushing aside his curiosity about how the man had entered his private office in the first place, he stood hurriedly, coming round his desk to face the man, worry etched on his brow. After all it wasn't every day the last remaining Jedi Knight, General and hero of the Clone Wars visited the elected leader of Alderaan. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Obi-Wan returned his gaze, green clear eyes hard and sharp. "I was planning on asking you. Where's the boy Bail?"

Organa sighed, Obi-Wan was not in a good mood. Albeit his face was a perfect mask of Jedi serenity, but that is all it was, a mask. The eyes gave Kenobi away every time. "He's dead, I thought you must have felt it. I expected you to come after I got the message from Ministry--"

"He's not dead," the Knight interrupted folding his hands together beneath his sleeves. "I found him in a spaceport near the galactic core of all places, alone. My question is what exactly was he doing separated from his sister? I take it you did separate them after their mother's death despite her wishes."

Bail sat back on the edge of his desk, mind trying to comprehend the number of shocks it had just received. "Alive--?" he breathed.

"Answer the question Bail."

Bail swallowed. Jedi didn't get angry as a rule, but it certainly looked like his old comrade was angry. "We thought it best, for security reasons," he added hastily. He didn't like where this was going. The Jedi was not pleased. "The girl had more passive abilities than Luke, you even said so. But together with his strength she began to have . . . flukes. It grew dangerous, hard to keep secret once their mother began dying. Skies above, Vader comes here! We thought it best to separate them and place the boy with another family."

"And these guardians?"

Bail ran a weary hand across his face as he thought back. "It had to be done legally to avoid suspicion. When Senat-- Padme brought them here she created identities for them within a secured system apart from the Imperial Net and so when we offered to adopt the girl we had to turn Luke over to Child Ministry Services. We couldn't arrange it ourselves, it would look too suspicious. We had no choice."

"Continue," the Jedi urged, voice impassive where his first were strained to the breaking.

"I received a message about a year later from Ministry. There had been a fire at one of the temporary foster homes. Luke was presumed dead."

"Presumed? There was no investigation?"

Organa shook his head as he walked back around the desk to sit heavily in his seat. "No. Ministry was being investigated itself at the time. There were . . . rumors of mishandling of children within Ministry. After six cycles the Empire took over." He looked up at a lost for how to continue. "I thought you knew, would have felt. . ."

Kenobi stood, eyes closed, jaw clenched tight as he processed this information. "How soon after their mother's death did you separate them?"

"The same night."

"So you split them up. Did it ever occur to you Bail that the abilities Leia manifested would have ended when her mother passed on and she was allowed time to grieve?" The rebuke was softly spoken, but there was knowledge behind it, and certainty and Bail realized the depth of his mistake. Before he had time to berate himself or even offer an apology, the door behind them burst open.

A short blur, all skirts and hair ribbons came flying by and leapt into Organa's lap. "Da! Look what I made!"

With fond sternness Bail stood and let his adopted daughter down. "Leia, remember your manners. We have a guest."

"Oh." Straightening visibly she turned to the Jedi who stood as well and offered the little princess a bow.

"Princess Leia," he murmured, noting her blush to be treated so courteously by a grownup. *She looks like Padme!* he thought, *And Luke looks like Anakin.* The Force definitely had a sense of irony about it, that much was certain.

"Hello," she said, shyly. "Who are you?"

Obi-Wan offered her a slight smile. "An old friend."

"Welcome to Alderaan," she said with a curtsey. She then turned her attention to the man she called father and tugged a little on his robes. "I'm sorry I came in without knocking," she apologized with a loud whisper. "But I made something for you." Grinning irrepressibly she pressed a piece of molded clay into Bail's hands. Before he could respond she slipped away, hesitating for a moment before the Jedi, looking at him quizzically before exiting and closing the door behind her.

Bail stared down at the tiny bowl in his hands, painted bright blue. Slowly he placed it on his desk and then looked up at the Knight, an apology ready on his lips.

Kenobi raised his hand to forestall any attempt, eyes softening shoulders slumping in exhaustion, "You did the only thing you thought you could, you acted with their best interests at heart."

Bail was grateful upon hearing his words knowing the Knight would not have offered them unless he meant them. There was no time to browbeat himself, what was done was done. In this new galaxy there was little time for regrets, only action and survival. "So how is Luke?" he began tentatively, wondering at the difference in the twins. They had been very close. "How did he. . . ?"

Obi-Wan sank into one of the soft plush chairs beside Bail's desk, resting his elbows on his knees, eyes on the floor. "I don't know how," he admitted "He hasn't spoken about Alderaan. I'm not exactly sure if he even remembers. It has been several years."

"On his own?"

"He's been on his own since his mother died Bail. Being placed in Ministry Services away from his sister prepared him well for life off-planet obviously."

Organa winced at the reminder of his mistake but knew from long acquaintance that Obi-Wan was being practical not hurtful, there was no rancor in his tone. "So he's all right."

Obi-Wan turned to look at the other at last. "He survived."

****

Upside down the planet of Dagobah looked pretty much the way it did right side up Luke concluded at last after intense observation swinging from the great gnarled tree he'd been itching to climb since he first landed.

The sky was gray as had been yesterday and the day before that and the water was murky brown so it didn't really matter which way you viewed the world, it was all very much the same. But he liked it, he liked the lack of technology, the lack of people, the lack of constant demands both physical and emotional. He would almost say that he could feel a lack of noise inside his head but that sounded stupid so he banished the thought.

Master Yoda didn't seem to mind too much what he did, never pressed, kept his distance and made some really odd tasting yet satisfying gruel three times a day. He let Luke go wherever he wish after the first day of explaining the dangers of the swamp. Luke had adapted quickly. He avoided sinkholes and poisonous snakes and deep water. The only time the ancient master had stopped him from going where he willed was at that cold, dark tree. The very air around the twisted thing hung heavy and Luke had stood petrified before it for who knew how long until Yoda had arrived out of the mist and had lead him away.

"What is it?" he had asked in a harsh whisper. "What's there?"

Yoda had pursed his lips in thought for a moment before turning his kind eyes back to the little thief. "It is a place of evil. Ready to see it you are not."

While usually such restriction rankled him on general principle, Luke had seen this one for what it was; an honest warning. Yoda seemed unwilling to offer any more information but he was willing to talk when Luke wanted to and willing to leave him alone when he didn't. He told the most incredible stories in that odd backwards way of his. They reminded him of the ones someone, perhaps his mother he figured absently, had told him when he was little about the Jedi and their enemies the Sith and how they fought over the millennia. All in all it was perhaps the most relaxing, unharried time he had spent as far back as he could remember.

The ground began trembling with sub harmonics. Luke twisted around from his perch, nearly falling off until he regained his balance with one hand on the branch above. Looking up he saw the faint glow of ion engine's amid the mist, the telltale sign of a ship approaching.

Letting go of the branch with his hand Luke swung back and forth before executing a fairly decent cherry drop landing right side up and on two feet amid the muck of the swamp.

Hesitantly climbing across the roots he moved back into the shadow of the twisted trunk, watching cautiously, ready to turn and hide in any one of the number of places he had out of habit and instinct discovered and furnished around the bog just in case. It wasn't that he didn't trust the Jedi, it was just . . . that he didn't trust them, he admitted without remorse. One did not feel guilty about self-preservation.

The ship landed rather artfully amid the swamp, managing to find a firm spot amid the spongy ground. The hatch opened with a pop and out jumped Obi-Wan Kenobi, nimble as a meerk cat.

Luke stepped away from the tree and into the Jedi's line of sight before he could help himself, eyes wide with surprise and confusion. "You!"

Easily crossing the various sinkholes around his landing sight, the Knight shot him a grin. "Who were you expecting?"

"You-you came back?" Luke said shaking his head in bewilderment as Ben came to a halt a few paces a way . It didn't make sense, no one ever came back, not for him.

"Of course I came back," Kenobi replied gently wondering how long it would be before Luke would truly believe anything anyone said to him. Motioning for the boy to follow he headed towards Yoda's hut, Luke beside him if at a slight distance.

Master Yoda sat perched on a decomposing log near his home chewing on the edge of his gimmer stick thoughtfully. He nodded in greeting to Obi-Wan's bow and Luke got the distinct feeling whatever would follow would be private so he held back and then turned and hurried towards the rather fair sized pond off to the west.

If they wanted to talk about him, fine! Luke thought to himself. It wasn't the first time and *he* certainly didn't care!

But if they thought he would simply do whatever they said, they were very wrong.

****

"Take him as your Padawan you must."

"No."

"He will have no other."

"No, he stays with you. I cannot take him. Neither should you. His sister is our only hope now." Obi-Wan folded his arms across his chest uncaring if his defiance was a sign of disrespect.

Yoda shook his head. "Take him yet, I cannot. Sounds of the past repeat."

The Knight fought to keep anger out of his voice at the mention of his master. "This is different."

"No different!" Yoda insisted banging his cane with a sharp rap against the log.

"My last apprentice went out and purged the Jedi from the galaxy and toppled the Republic!" Kenobi countered hotly refusing to be bullied.

"Sith influence this boy will not have. Know we do, our enemy."

Obi-Wan shook his head ruefully, calming his thoughts, trying to have the ancient Jedi understand his reasons. "Luke is . . . too far gone to ever bond with anyone, let alone heal! His scars run deeper than I can possibly imagine, deeper than Anakin's! I cannot take the boy Master Yoda and live this all over again. If the children hadn't been born in the first place, if Amidala hadn't been pregnant I would have simply gone after Vader and faced my destiny. I'm on borrowed time as it is. I am no teacher. I cannot help him." He threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "I couldn't even help Anakin!"

Yoda watched impassively, unmoved. "Needs you he does. Need *him* you do."

"No. I've done this before Master and we all know what happened! You warned me yourself! You want me to make the same mistake again? To risk what precious little is left on the boy?"

"Qui-Gon was willing to take the risk." Yoda reminded him.

"Qui-Gon shouldn't have taken me at all!" Obi-Wan spat bitterly in return. "He should have left me on Bandomeer. You want me to do it again? There's not too much else left in the galaxy I can screw up!" he said, a touch of hysteria in his words. He couldn't help it, the pain he had felt when Anakin, his son and dearest friend turned and slaughtered them all tore at his heart. He had loved the boy, still did. His treacherous heart would probably always cling to his Padawan, just as it did the memory of the man who had raised him. Perhaps he was not ultimately responsible, but he wasn't going though it again, not ever again.

"Events occurred as they did!" Yoda reminded him sternly, his harsh words bringing Obi-Wan back to himself. "Choices everyone made, yours in keeping with the Light always. No fault there was regardless of who trained the Chosen One. Destined this is, the Force must be balanced within him. Started then with Anakin unfolding still in Vader, in Luke. Together through those two what the Force wills, will occur."

"My second student repairs the damage of the first, Master?" he asked with a pain filled smile as he sank to his knees uncaring of the mud.

Yoda hopped down off the log and stood before him, eyes revealing that the pain was shared between them; Obi-Wan had never suffered alone. "Lost learners I have to the Dark. Lost many many to war and battle. Lost everyone we both did. Not over yet. Work to be done there is, fulfill our heavy duty as the Force wills."

Obi-Wan sighed, hanging his head, searching for the strength inside him. He reached out through the Force, searching himself, searching the child. It spoke to him as it always did, as it had when he comforted the little thief at the port. The Force came easily, so very willingly to his call. Raising his eyes to meet Master Yoda's he admitted the truth of what he saw.

"It draws me to him, to both of them. He heard my voice back at the port," he admitted at last. "The Force is never wrong. I cannot deny this bond anymore than I can deny the one I hold with Anakin. He was my apprentice, like my own and his son . . . "

Silence stretched between them for a long moment. "Alone father and son cannot be." Yoda spoke at last, The Master's face was solemn and certain. "If care for them you do, take the boy and prepare him, train him. Redemption of the all that were lost he yet may be. And then," Yoda finished quietly. "Join the others we may."

****

"Luke?"

The boy hesitated for a moment hearing the voice behind him but then turned his attention back to the pond and attempted once again to top his previous score at skipping rocks across the scummy surface. Still, the Knight probably expected an answer Luke realized. Sighing, jaw tightening in remembered anger, he called out; "Are you done arguing over what you're going to do to me?"

"Luke we're not going to *do* anything to you." Ben replied gently for what felt like the thousandth time as he stepped over a tkryx lizard burrowing in the muck.

Scowling the little thief turned around ready to confront the man over the suspicions the ghost had raised within him.

"You went *Home* didn't you? To talk to *Them!*"

"I went to Alderaan, yes." Obi-Wan admitted freely not missing the obvious emphasis in the boy's words.

Luke backed away from the knight, instinctively putting more distance between himself and perceived danger, hands clenched tight. "I'm not going back!" He announced, voice hard but there was desperation there too, a wild panic that Obi-Wan couldn't stand to see in a child's eyes.

"No, you're not," he affirmed quietly.

Luke's jaw dropped and he blinked in shock. That was a response he hadn't been expecting even after days of steady reassurances from Yoda, from Obi-Wan himself. He hadn't believed, not for an instant. But they had been telling him the truth. The truth, what a novelty! Luke almost smiled, but instead old doubts that had kept him alive rose inside. Quickly shaking himself he asked "And you're not putting me with some other people are you? You aren't turning me back over to Ministry?"

"No." Obi-Wan said taking a seat on one of the numerous moss-covered rocks with a faint smile as he sent his calm assurance to the boy along their faint connection to quell his doubt and fear.

For a long moment Luke said nothing simply watched, gauging him. Finally coming to a decision he sat down a short distance from the man with a nod of approval worthy of any aristocrat, certainly worthy of his mother. "Good." Obi-Wan hid a smile.

"Can I ask you something sir?" Luke began, tone more hesitant as he tested this completely new view he had on the Knight.

Blinking slightly at the sudden honorific he nodded. "Of course." Obi-Wan allowed. He had a feeling this was to be the first in a long, long line of questions that would probably last for years. Part of him looked forward to it, while the rest of him could see only Anakin.

"Why did you bring me here? Why didn't you just leave me with Port Authority? Is it . . . " his voice dropped to an uncertain hush. "Is it because you knew my father?"

Obi-Wan was silent for a long moment as he considered how to reply to that. "Do you remember when I caught you the words you whispered, over and over again?"

"Yeees." Luke drew the word out carefully, eyes narrowing in suspicion. He wasn't sure what he was getting at.

"You expected me to let go and forget you existed didn't you?" he pressed.

The boy shrugged tightly. "Well, yeah that's what usually happens. But I don't get caught often."

"Once all it takes Luke." Obi-Wan admonished lightly. "What you attempted to do, cloud my mind, is an ability granted to you through the Force."

"The Force?" he repeated in confusion. "What is this Force everyone keeps talking about?"

"The Force is what gives a Jedi Knight his power. It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together."

"You brought me here because of *that?*" he asked incredulously.

"Among other things." Obi-Wan agreed in amusement.

Brow furrowed Luke countered the statement. "But it didn't work on you."

"No it didn't because I'm Jedi." the Knight explained patiently. "I've been trained to use it to protect myself, and I will teach you how as well and so will Master Yoda. But it's worked on other people before I'd wager, the weak minded."

"Yes." Obi-Wan waited, wanting the boy to figure it out on his own, make the connections, see the reasoning behind this crazy trip a stranger had dragged him on to an uncivilized swamp. He didn't have to wait very long, the child was as quick as his father. "You'll teach me?"

"If that is what you want."

"To be a-a Jedi Knight." Luke said hesitatingly.

"Yes."

Luke thought back, to the half remembered stories of bravery and goodness that soft voice used to tell every night. Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy and he, he was a runaway, and an accomplished thief. He was a no good, no account freak and *They* hated him for it, hated him for being Evil and dirty. And Jedi were good, not Evil, that much he thought he knew. Jedi never let anyone . . . but he shrank away from those thoughts quickly, burying them deep. "Are you sure this will work?" he asked with honest skepticism.

Obi-Wan tried not to laugh. "Yes Luke, I'm sure."

"I'm a pickpocket." Luke warned darkly in what seemed to be an effort to ward the Knight away from the task of instructing him.

"I realize that," Ben said with a fond smile.

Luke fidgeted for a moment. "I can't even read," he confessed not looking at the Jedi, holding his breath, waiting for the disappointment, the disgust, the violence.

A hand reached out as if to touch his shoulder, but made no contact as if suddenly remembering to keep its distance. For some reason Luke didn't feel the urge to pull away though he reflexively stiffened.

"You can learn," Kenobi offered softly. The boy seemed intent on proving his unworthiness. That was something Obi-Wan vowed to remedy soon if given the chance.

"You really want to teach me?" Luke asked anxiously.

"Yes." Kenobi assured him with a smile.

The boy's eyes narrowed dangerously as he regarded the Jedi. "You sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Good." Luke nodded, the matter and all the talking concluded as far as he was concerned; time for action. "When do we start?"

****

Luke scrambled into the little hut intent on finding the Jedi Master. Locating him at last by his carefully tended fire, he knelt down and shared his news. "Obi-Wan says we're leaving Master Yoda. Are you coming too?"

"Stay here I will."

"Oh." Luke's face fell slightly. He wasn't exactly sure why but he rather hoped that the ancient gnome would come with them. There was something about him, about both Jedi that seemed so natural, so right. It felt good to be near them, almost safe.

The green eyes turned away from the dancing hissing flames to stare at the young one kindly. "See me again you shall young Padawan."

"Padawan?" he repeated in confusion. Too many new terms in one day. "My name's Luke."

"Know this I do." The old one smiled knowingly. Luke wondered how much he had seen, how much he *knew* being so very old. "Padawan means apprentice, learner, student. A title, rank among Jedi."

"Luke are you ready?" It was Obi-Wan, outside waiting for him.

"Coming sir!" he called in response, wondering at how easily he seemed to fit into this pattern, this life when only a few days ago he was stealing to survive. He shook his head as if to shake the thought loose. This could end as quickly as it began. He would not get comfortable, he reminded himself sternly He would not!

"Go with your Master." Yoda's voice brought him sharply out of his thoughts, demanding attention. "Learn much from him you can. Learn to listen, to be calm and trust in the Force. Banish anger and fear and be strong you will. Alone you are not, never shall you be young Skywalker. Remember."

Luke nodded slowly. The words were more than just a good-bye, more than a dismissal, and he held them close. "I will, and I'll come back and see you."

"May the Force be with."

He stood and bowed as he had seen Obi-Wan do. "Thank you Master Yoda."

****

"Two stars." Luke murmured, amazed, leaning forward to stare out of the cockpit at the twin solar bodies as the ship dropped out of hyperspace with a lurch.

Obi-Wan glanced back over his shoulder at the boy who stood in the doorway. "It's a binary system," he explained easily as he altered course slightly so that they'd have a better view before landing. "They're called Tatoo I and Tatoo II. Not very original names . . ."

"Do-" Luke began hesitantly, taking a step forward, unsure whether to press. The Knight nodded for him to continue.

"Do all planets look likes this from space sir?"

Obi-Wan took in the barren dust colored globe that was to be a Skywalker's home once more. "You mean the color?" he asked. Luke nodded, eyes not leaving the star field or the planet hung amid the darkness.

"Only desert ones. There is very little water on Tatooine, rationing is important. I suggest we make use of the water still onboard before we sell the ship. You can go first."

With effort Luke pulled his eyes away from the view, puzzlement etched on his face. "Go first where?"

"Go take a shower," Ben prompted. "I've managed to find something a bit more clean for you to wear so you won't have to put on the same clothes again. They're in the cabin. Take your time." Kenobi said as he brought the ship into temporary synchronous orbit.

"Shower?" Luke asked aghast, with the same revulsion and disgust most people held for snakes or dead bugs. "But-but sir, we need the water--"

What was it with Skywalkers and water? Kenobi thought in bewilderment. But then he reminded himself firmly in some ways space was just as sterile and dry as a desert, and just as unforgiving. As odd as good water sense could be, it was invaluable given the boy's lifestyle. Obi-Wan hid a grin as he interrupted. "Yes Luke, shower. With hot water *and* soap."

*Soap?* Luke blinked. "But I washed up before we ate last," he protested.

The Jedi turned around in his chair to face the boy, eyes filled with good-humor, bellying his firm no nonsense tone of voice. "Luke I'm not just talking about washing the back of your hands and some of your face. I'm talking about a shower, where even your hair gets wet and you come out clean. You do understand clean don't you?" he asked.

Luke nodded dumbly.

"Underneath all of this space dust, cobwebs, dirt, grime, grease, swamp mud, and the Force only knows what else I am *sure*," Obi-Wan made a show of eyeing him sharply before continuing, "there is a blond-haired blue eyed boy named Luke Skywalker. I have yet to see him, but I expect to. Go on," he motioned.

Without another word the boy scrambled away. Obi-Wan turned back to the controls listening intently for a minute before yelling "Water, Luke! I do expect to hear the water running!"

There was a moments silence and then the familiar sound of the shower blocking out some rather creative muttered curses. Grinning broadly and shaking his head he watched the various tiny outposts on Tatooine slip from day to night as the planet turned.

"I'm getting too old for this." he muttered to himself with a rueful chuckle.

****

Obi-Wan landed the tiny craft with skill that spoke of long practice on the outskirts of one of the settlements. Shutting down the hyperdrive and the navigation computer he drew his cloak about him and headed for the tiny cabin.

Luke was pulling a tunic over his head that was at least three sizes too big, hands disappearing into the sleeves, his rake thin body drowning in the light gray fabric. Yanking the cloth away from his face he shot Kenobi a murderous glare in response to the Knight's obvious amusement, damp hair still an unqualified disaster but as expected a completely different color.

Smiling the Jedi gathered up the two bags. "I knew you were under there somewhere. Don't worry, you'll grow."

Luke muttered something incoherent under his breath but the sentiment was incredibly clear, before joining the Knight at the exit wondering what exactly Obi-Wan had meant by the word desert when describing the planet.

The hatch came open with a hiss of mixing atmospheres and Luke was immediately struck by the heat that reminded him of some of power cores at a few of the ports he visited. Obi-Wan drew up his hood and stepped out onto the glowing sands.

It was almost painfully bright. It had been too long since he'd spent anytime outdoors, Dagobah being the first. Now before him in almost every direction spread the brilliant fine sand and above him the most amazing blue sky. Taking a deep breath and feeling his throat dry immediately, his hair leeched instantly of what little moisture was left, Luke resisted the urge to lick his lips and pulled up his tunic's hood to shield himself from the glare and hurried off after the Jedi.

The town, if it could be called that was just as dusty and dilapidated. Strange beasts lumbered through the streets and a vast variety of different species yelled and argued and wandered about alone or in groups. Droids trundled about, beeping and whirling softly to one another. The dry baked air was filled with dialects; grunts, hisses, warbles, gurgles, and howls. Some were indecipherable and other Luke knew well enough to listen in on half a dozen conversations as he followed Obi-Wan through the tenth-rate marketplace.

They entered one of the few air-conditioned shops together, Obi-Wan heading up to speak to the lady at the counter, Luke carefully taking in the variety of the supplies she had in inventory. He wasn't usually allowed in stores, avoided them altogether at port; the shopkeepers didn't like his kind hanging around and he couldn't blame them. The ones that didn't mind runaways and pickpockets in their establishment were obviously looking for an easy mark themselves though of a decidedly darker nature. This time things were different though, Luke mused ignoring the rise and fall of the adults talking and bartering behind him. Water, rations, survival gear . . . There were a few other commodities, odds and ends for people who had houses, but he wasn't interested in that, he was too busy trying to figure out exactly how the climate would affect living requirements. Water was definitely going to be more important than food, he thought to himself. Clasping his hands together, thankful for his long sleeves, Luke edged closer to the merchandise, silent and deliberate in his intent.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat suddenly and loudly and Luke looked up guilty, suddenly very aware of what he was just about to do.

The Knight's back was still to him; he was still talking to the lady. Surprisingly he raised no fuss, but he did spare a glance over at the boy and simply raised his eyebrows, waiting. That was somehow worse than being called to task over his obviously suspicious behavior.

Swallowing hard, Luke wandered away from the stack of supplies and stood to the left of the Jedi in silence.

"So will that be everything Ben?" the tired looking shopkeeper asked in a bright voice, yellow slit eyes filming slightly as she blinked.

"Yes, thank you."

Packing up the few purchases into the satchel she looked down over the counter and catching sight of the boy began to coo. "Oh what an adorable little boy! Is he yours?"

Luke blinked in bewildered surprise at the sudden transformation and then shot her a glare of absolute indignation and disgust at her attempts to humiliate him publicly, which like any clueless adult she completely missed. Abandoning her packing she reached out to pat him on the head. "Aren't you just the sweetest thing?"

Resisting the urge to shout NO! at the top of his lungs, Luke ducked away, darting behind Obi-Wan leaving him to deal with the crazy lady. He knew there was a good reason he preferred to stay dirty, people were far less likely to touch him.

"Aw! Shy is he?" she asked kindly as she finished packing their items and handed the bag to Kenobi.

"Not . . . exactly." Ben replied smothering his amusement. "Thank you for the news Tira." He turned and practically stepped on the boy who hovered just behind him.

"Any time!" she waved, glad to have shared some gossip, even if it was with that crazy old hermit. "Come back soon. You too sweetie!"

Luke certainly hoped not. Obi-Wan shot him a dry, knowing smile as he held the door open for the boy.

They made their way out of the tiny town and out into the dunes, the suns at their backs, in silence. The heat was oppressing, sometimes dizzying so their pace was slow. It was nearly nightfall, the sky turning a remarkable shade of indigo before Kenobi called a halt to their trek just as they rose over the edge of a dune. Luke nearly ran into the Knight, so intent he was on watching the sky darken and the first stars appear. He halted with a tired shuffle and stared up at the man in confusion.

He couldn't see his expression in the growing fringed darkness but Luke heard the smile in his voice.

"Welcome home Padawan."

****

It hadn't taken long to get settled; Luke had absolutely nothing in the way of belongings except a few odds and ends he had flitched and transferred to his new clothes after Obi-Wan disposed of the filthy old ones. The quarters the Jedi kept were leanly comfortable for a rare few, downright luxury for Luke. He actually had his own room, with a bed no less. He still wasn't exactly sure how he made it to the bed the first night; he had been so tired, but he woke there in the warm glow of dawn, only his boots off and resting under the bed.

He had warily sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes absently. The light came from the twin stars already beginning their scorching ascent into the sky. Cautiously he looked around. It was so still, so quiet. There was no noise outside of people, droids, ships, or generators. The peace was unnerving. Even the swamp planet had some sort of sound echoing in the thick air from all the creatures.

The only thing he could hear was coming from inside the dwelling. Pulling on his boots he had peeked out of the nearly closed door and out into the dim hallway. Seeing and sensing no movement Luke made his way down the corridor running his fingers along the cool stone wall as he went.

Another room, slightly larger was further down. There was a fresher tucked into one tiny room. As quietly as he could he opened the tap to a trickle and drank a handful of the lukewarm water and then cupping his hands he took one handful to wash the dust off his face and run his fingers through his hair. Obi-Wan would probably insist anyway. He might as well get it over with. The former thief slipped back into the corridor and practically jumped of his skin when he heard a soft greeting.

"Good morning."

Luke turned and caught sight of the Knight leaning against the wall watching him. Long practice kept Luke from physically reacting as he replied without a tremor in his voice, but his heart pounded in his chest. The Jedi seemed to see right through him and looked slightly abashed.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Pushing himself off the wall he rubbed his chin ruefully before gesturing towards the common area and what Luke supposed was the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready."

After a long moment of staring Obi-Wan realize waiting for Luke to walk before him was like waiting for a tropical heatwave on Hoth and so he went first, resisting the urge to look over his shoulder as he heard the boy follow.

His apprentice hesitated at the table, as if waiting for an invitation to so much as touch the chair let alone sit. After motioning for him to sit Ben moved back over into the kitchen that opened off the common to grab the last of the utensils. Taking his own seat he watched Luke out of the corner of his eye. The boy was sunk so low in his chair, he was practically blending into the woodwork, keeping as still and as unobtrusive as possible. Deciding he was going to have to take charge, Obi-Wan helped himself to the porridge and instead of setting it back down on the table he handed the pot and spoon to the boy and silently went about drowning the light brown meal in milk, sweetener, and spices.

Dumbfounded, but only for a moment (the smell of warm food obviously intoxicating) Luke quickly followed suit taking his portion carefully, checking the Knight as if any moment he expected the meal to be snatched away for taking too much. Ben avoided returning the quick peeks in his direction, digging in to his favorite meal of the day. He ignored the little pickpocket's maneuvering of the milk into the bowl, the half a dozen spoons of sweetener, and the hesitant taste of spices before they too were added.

And after all that preparation the Knight was careful to pay no notice as Luke bolted the meal down like a starving Wookiee and gulped his water in two quick swallows.

When Obi-Wan took the bowls to the kitchen Luke gathered up the spices and the sweetener and followed a few steps behind, curious. Thanking the boy for his help, Ben put away the remains of breakfast as the boy watched his movements like a Calamari seahawk. Once that was done, the child skittered back to the living space. It was, Ben noted with amusement, rather like having one of Qui-Gon's injured pets sharing his quarters once again. *At least my Padawan doesn't shed, or shred the furniture, or savage my ankles. My Padawan . . .* he shook his head, astonished to once again be teaching. *Force willing I won't fail this boy.*

He went after his learner and found him staring around the room, not touching anything, eyes taking in everything.

*Where to start?* Ben wondered. He and Ani had through their grief over Qui-Gon's passing forged a tight friendship that at one time the Jedi believed was unbreakable. That and the aide of thousands of other Masters, Knights, Padawans, and Initiates through the Force was invaluable in training. Now there were only two, two embarking on the training of a third. *Best begin at the beginning* he reasoned firmly, pushing darker thoughts away. Taking a few items from a drawer he sat back at the table before calling out. "Come here Luke. I want to show you something."

The boy came over warily and slipped into what was now his seat. Luke watched carefully, chin rested on his folded hands on the tabletop as Obi-Wan slowly fashioned out the four letters on the paper, naming each as he went. Finished he handed the paper to the boy.

Luke sat up and traced the letters with his fingers, memorizing the shape of each. "That's you're name," the Jedi informed him.

"Luke," he whispered, unaccountably pleased.

"Beru Lars is a teacher," Obi-Wan continued sliding the pencil across the table towards him, watching to make sure he held it properly before nodding his approval. "She lives close by. I'm sure she'd be willing to further your education as it were once we have you reading and writing." *Beru will probably adopt you the second she lays eyes on you and spoil you silly* Ben admitted to himself privately with an inward chuckle. Still it didn't sound that bad. Luke could use a bit of spoiling; he had taken to their hermit existence with the ease of one accustomed to much less despite his youth.

"She'll teach *me* sir?" he asked in astonishment.

"Yes, you." the Knight assured him patiently suffusing his smile.

A grin spread across Luke's features as he torturously began to copy the letters on his own finding that having nimble fingers was of some use after all despite his Master's obvious disapproval of stealing. They were a bit wavery, not nearly as crisp as the Jedi's clean script, but they were legible and in the right order.

Things were indeed looking up.

****

// Padawan! Wake UP! //

With a jerk Luke came awake, heart trying to leap out of his chest. Before he could fully re-gather his shaken control he realized he was not alone. Yelping in terror, he threw himself off the bed, crashing to the floor in the dark, crawling backwards in an attempt to flee. The dark figure moved out of the doorway coming inexorably closer, and a cry of fear escaped his lips as he raised his arms to block the inevitable, closing his eyes, preparing futily for the blow that never came.

"It's all right now, Luke. It was just a dream Padawan. Just a bad dream."

*Obi-Wan* the still rational part of his mind prompted him quietly. Lowering his arms slowly and daring to open his eyes he could make out the Jedi crouched a few feet away, brow furrowed in anxiety and . . . concern?

Pushing that odd thought away he drew in a breath to steady himself. "Sorry if I woke you s-sir," he apologized, wondering what his punishment would be.

The Knight waved a hand as if dismissing the words. "It doesn't matter Padawan. Are you all right?"

Straightening Luke nodded before belatedly realizing that it was probably too dark for Ben to see the movement. *Then how did you know he looked concerned?* the logical part of him nagged.

"'M okay," he mumbled hoping the Jedi wouldn't press further. It wasn't something he wanted to think about, ever. The sooner he forgot the dreams the better.

Obi-Wan suppressed a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair worriedly. The fear and terror of the dream had woke him as suddenly as a bucket of ice water would have, and just as disconcerting. Even as he had bolted for his apprentice's room he had strengthened the shields around them both. The cry had been projected, with astonishing power desperate and pleading for someone, anyone to help. Every Force sensitive within the sector would have heard it if the Emperor had left any alive and at least half the galaxy would have felt the disquiet of the Force so violently disturbed. Locking the barriers down ruthlessly and praying nothing had escaped he had used the bond to pull Luke out of the nightmare as he pushed through the door, hesitating out of habit at the threshold reluctant to frighten the already panicked child.

The images he had glimpsed at that accompanied the boy's feelings were something he was even more reluctant to face.

Fighting back a wave of nausea and fury, he wasn't sure if he was glad or frustrated that Luke wouldn't open up about the past. A week of living in close quarters on the desert planet had helped alleviate some of the uneasiness and tension that existed. Routine was definitely helpful in that area, and so was the process of teaching the child to read--he had proven to be an exceptionally quick study. But it was in communication of a more personal nature that they were seriously lacking. Luke never discussed the past, never. He never brought up Alderaan after their conversation on Dagobah. He never asked about his father or elaborated about his time under Ministry's care. Those memories it now seemed, were forced to reside in nightmare, unspoken in the light of day.

In a perverse way Obi-Wan was glad that the boy now sat quaking and huddled against the wall. If his sleep was disturbed it meant that the boy could not simply forget his past fears. They lived. The fear was there, palpable and out in the open where they could now both see it, not hidden festering to darkness within.

Getting Luke to cooperate with dealing with it was going to be the challenge.

*Too soon,* the Force sang, *Too soon.*

Acknowledging the truth of his instincts he put aside half formed plans. Obi-Wan wished that even now he could use the teaching bond, but Luke's emotions were still leaking all over the place, the very night air charged with them. He spent an inordinate amount of time shielding them as he taught Luke the rudimentary skills of grasping a feeling the Force. If they had been on Dagobah it would have been unnecessary, but Yoda had been insistent-- *pig headed and stubborn is more like it* he groused --that he take Luke here. Perhaps it was time to begin some lessons on mental and emotional control. Oh, he could easily hold the dreams back, but that would only deepen the connection between them and increase the risk of Luke finding out the truth about his past. It time it might reveal everything, and entirely too soon for Yoda's tastes.

"Padawan there is an exercise I want to show you," he began, deciding not to press discussions of the past just yet.

Luke untangled himself from the bedclothes around him and knelt, knowing from his Master's tone he was about to impart something about the Force.

"Close your eyes and focus on your breathing," he instructed.

****

Luke stood behind his Master as Obi-Wan knocked on the door. The subterranean courtyard was much cooler than the sands above. It had been a long walk and though Luke had rapidly grown accustomed to the heat the two months he'd been here, he wasn't stupid enough to ignore the shade in favor of the burning suns.

The door opened and a woman filled the doorway clad in plain functional homespun. She smiled at Kenobi, blue eyes crinkling as she did.

"Hello Beru," Obi-Wan greeted her softly.

"Ben. It's good to see you. Wasn't sure if we ever would," she said as she ushered them inside. Luke stayed at his Master's back, the brown cloak effectively shielding his existence. "Owen's in the workshop. You will stay for lunch?"

"Yes, that would be nice," the Jedi responded for both of them, knowing all to well what Luke was doing so he sat, leaving the boy to deal with people other than himself and Yoda, watching to see how he would react to someone non-Force sensitive.

"And who is this?" Beru asked kindly.

"Luke Skywalker." Obi-Wan introduced. "Luke, Beru Lars."

"Nice to meet you." The boy nodded politely, but remained watchful, eyeing the exit just in case.

After a moment of hesitation, eyes widening as she shot Obi-Wan a quick glance she responded a forced cheer present in her voice. "Well Luke, its nice to meet you too." Beru began to set the table, speaking to Kenobi now. "I take it you want me to tutor him once a week when he's settled like I did the Darklighter's child, instead of traveling to Anchorhead?"

"If you would," Ben agreed mildly as if he hadn't considered the idea in the first place.

"Of course I will, you know that," she said, recognizing when she was being teased. "Owen on the other hand . . ."

"He prefers to have nothing to do with me." It was a statement, not a question. The estrangement between them long standing and unbreachable at this point.

Beru said nothing, but finished setting the table in silence. "Luke could you go to the workshop and tell Owen that lunch is ready?" she said suddenly.

Glancing quickly at his master and seeing no objection, the boy hurried out of the room.

"Beru-?" Obi-Wan began, standing now. Letting Luke fetch Owen was not the best way for the two to meet.

"Let Luke handle this on his own," she insisted firmly.

"Beru are you sure that's a good idea? I don't think you understand how he's been living up to now."

Beru shuddered, her mind filing in the gaps with more than one awful possibility. "I don't want to know Ben. I have enough bad dreams as it is. Besides, I hardly think your young charge scares that easily. I think you're underestimating him."

More than slightly put off Obi-Wan sat back down. "We'll see."

****

Luke entered the workshop silently, eyes adjusting to the dark after a moment of retina spots. Someone was cursing and banging around inside. Slowly but purposefully he advanced. The man was dressed in similar fabric as his wife (if that's who she was, Luke learned not to make assumptions in such matters long ago). He had a tired, weathered face and large callused hands and at the moment he was searching in vain for something.

"Where's that damn power wrench? I know it was here . . ."

Luke glanced around at the bins beside him and pulled out the appropriate tool. The noise of the action brought the man around and the newly made Padawan didn't hesitate in tossing him the wrench.

Owen caught it with one hand after juggling it briefly. "Thanks," he grunted. Then, quite suddenly his eyes narrowed. "You Kenobi's apprentice?"

"Yes," Luke said cautiously.

"Huh. All look alike." With that cryptic statement he turned back to the droid he was working on. After a moment he stopped and looked back at Luke. "Well what do you want?" he demanded roughly.

"Ms. Beru said lunch is ready."

"All right, all right." Muttering, he put down the wrench and cleaned his oily hands on an equally oily rag before walking towards the door. He stopped when he reached Luke and eyed him critically. "Scrawny thing aren't you? Don't you eat enough?" Luke didn't reply, he knew it wasn't a question he could answer in any way that would please this large man. It was one of those trick questions adults seemed to love to spring on children. He'd seen enough of it at Ministry to know to keep his mouth shut.

"Well?" Owen said gruffly, voice tinged with impatience and exasperation. He glared at the boy, waiting for him to answer.

Luke stood his ground, hands clenched, chin high.

"Hmph!" Owen turned away suddenly, shaken inwardly. That cool gaze from eyes too old to be a child's was disturbing, it reminded him of a past bet left buried with his mother. "What's your name?" he asked as he walked towards the courtyard, the boy a little behind him and out of arms reach.

"Luke Skywalker." It was still so odd to say that aloud. Until recently he hadn't even thought of himself with a name.

Owen halted midstep, lips pressed tight together. "Well that explains how you look," he said at last eyeing his nephew. "Owen Lars." He made as if he was about to stick out his hand in greeting but thought better of it and held his peace as they descended the steps. "You know anything about droids?" he asked suddenly.

"Some," Luke admitted.

"Good. I could use some help, if that damn fool hasn't got your head off in the clouds."

"He is not a damned fool," Luke countered, his voice deadly cold.

Owen wheeled around, hands on his hips as he faced off with the child for the second time in as many minutes "Oh yeah?" he demanded, a hint of humor Luke couldn't detect, lacing the seemingly harsh challenge.

"Yeah."

The ice in that serious tone was enough to make Owen shiver even in the midday heat. Suddenly angry at himself, he turned away.

"Aw. . ." Stomping along he threw open the door. "Arguing with a munchkin. . . waste of time. . ." he muttered.

He entered the kitchen and saw Obi-Wan sitting at the table. The Jedi looked up and nodded in greeting. "Owen."

"Ben," he grunted, directing his frustration and nervousness about the boy into anger at Ben. It was, in retrospect, not a wise thing to do.

Luke stepped into the kitchen, eyes zeroing in on the moisture farmer who was glaring at his Master. There was something in his stare that demanded Owen's attention, reminded him of his brother. Owen looked away from the blond boy and muttering, left the room, unnerved once again. Cooly, Luke watched him go.

*Did that just happen?* Obi-Wan thought in astonishment. He glanced at Beru who innocently continued cooking as if nothing had occurred.

Owen reentered, cleaned up somewhat, at sat down to eat. Beru took her place and then Luke slid onto the only chair remaining next to his Master. After a few bites, the farmer looked up.

"I suppose," he said slowly "that if he helps me part of the day learning a *real* trade, we can call the weekly lessons covered."

"Then it's settled," Beru said with a smile. "Seconds?" she offered Luke, whose plate was already empty.

****

Brow scrunching in thought, Luke shook his head. "It doesn't work that way."

"Yes it does," Obi-Wan countered serenely kneeling on the floor opposite the boy who sat cross-legged, the mec-ball in front of him.

"It needs the parts to move sir." Luke picked up the simple child's toy and poked at it's innards, eyeing them practically.

"You can move it without the parts," Ben explained. "Focus and calm your mind and reach for the Force, just like you did at port."

"At the same time?"

"Yes Luke."

Placing the mec-ball carefully down before him the boy squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his fists as he concentrated.

"Relax," the Jedi ordered gently. "Take a deep breath. Just like building the wall in your mind. Stretch out with your feelings." Luke swallowed audibly and let his hands go slack as he let out his breath and slowly inhaled. The mec-ball twitched and then very slowly rolled forward, stopping only when it gently nudged the Knight's knee. Cautiously, radiating disbelief Luke opened one eye and then both as he took in what had happened. "See?" Obi-Wan said knowingly. "You can do it."

Blinking in surprised Luke stared at the mec-ball and then looked at the Jedi eagerly. "Can I do it again sir? Please?"

"Yes of course." Ben smiled as Luke sat a little straighter. "Try keeping your eyes open this time Padawan," he suggested teasingly.

Solemnly the boy nodded. "Yes sir." But even the somber tone didn't cover the excitement and wonder in those eyes.

****

"Hey!"

The sudden exclamation didn't surprise Luke, and he hardly looked up from the droid he crouched beside. He had heard the stranger approaching for over a minute now, the noise of a kicked stone echoing loudly off the Lars' home and workshop. Even without the sound he had know, Luke thought with a growing sense of accomplishment. It was just like his Master had said, through the Force he could feel people without seeing them.

A dark-haired boy came to stand next to the droid. With self-assurance and an easy-going manner the older child introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Biggs, Biggs Darklighter. You're Luke?"

Luke nodded, slightly confused about what this person wanted with him. Ms. Beru had mentioned the Darklighters and their son to Obi-Wan the first day he had visited the Lars' farm. He wondered absently if this person was the leader of some local gang and whether he'd have to endure a pounding or something.

"Great! Finally someone near my own age who lives nearby!" The relief and happiness was apparent in Darklighter's voice.

"How old are you?" Biggs asked as he grabbed a cleaning rag and knelt down to help Luke.

Nearly dropping the thin probe he was using to scrape of carbon scoring as he watched Biggs attack the job with cheerful ferocity. What in the nine hells was the boy doing? Helping? Helping *him*?? Luke realized he'd been asked a question and stumbled for an answer. "I- uh . . ."

But Biggs plowed ahead regardless of the blond boy's stuttering. "You the Lars' son or nephew or something?"

This Luke could answer and did, watching the other boy out of the corner of his eye in bewilderment. "No. Ms. Beru teaches me."

"So you work for your studies?"

"I help out and Mr. Owen lets me use his tools on the skyhopper," he heard himself answering before he could think about it.

Biggs turned his brown eyes on Luke's blue one's, his voice filled with awe. "You have a skyhopper?"

*Why am I telling him this?* Luke thought frantically. *I don't even KNOW him!* But a part of his brain knew what to do, even if the rest of it didn't. "I'm . . . working on one Mr. Owen has."

"Really?" Biggs sounded very impressed. "Can I see it?"

Luke shrugged. "It's right there." He jerked his head towards the tarp covered lump in the darkened part of the interior of the workshop. "I work on it sometimes when I here."

"You live close by?"

Luke stared out at the sands. "Live out there."

Biggs followed his gaze. "You live out in the Dune sea?" At his new friend's nod Biggs decided to enlighten him. "But no one lives out there but Crazy Old Ben."

"He's not crazy," Luke said firmly as he dug the probe around the servos.

"Well . . . my mom said--"

Luke rounded his gaze on the older boy, eyes like ice, so cold they burned, his voice a menacing growl, suddenly not caring a whit how big or old the other boy was. "He's *not*"

Biggs swallowed, suddenly unnerved, the hairs on the back of his neck pricking. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry," he apologized, holding up his hands placatingly.

Luke blinked and forcibly relaxed. What was he doing? Defending Kenobi? Pushing the idea to be thought about later he let his gaze soften turned back to the droid and muttered "If he's crazy then I'm completely nuts."

Biggs grinned. "You're not nuts Luke. You sure don't talk much do you?"

The former thief shrugged, his mouth twisting into something that was either a lopsided smile or a grimace.

"Is it nearly finished?" Biggs asked as he scrubbed the droid's square head.

"The skyhopper?" Luke asked. Darklighter nodded "Soon I hope. I just got to get an ignition plug and I think I can rig the rest of it. It's nearly done and then maybe he'll teach me to fly." He didn't feel uncomfortable as he thought he would sharing this wish with the stranger. Darklighter didn't seem like any other kid he'd met. He wouldn't dream of telling any of them if he had access to something as valuable as a 'craft.

"Wow. My dad says I can't learn to fly for another year but he did take me to see the races at Mos Esliey a couple of months ago."

Curiosity piqued Luke's hand stilled and turned his attention wholly to Darklighter. "Races? What kind of races?"

Obviously a favorite subject, Biggs dropped the rag and attempted to explain to Luke the intricacies of the pastime, hands waving wildly for effect. "Podraces. They go sooo fast, ZOOM! And they crash all the time. They use all the canyons around here as the track. There's big money for the winners, but no human could ever win it."

Putting the probe down entirely, droid now forgotten, Luke sat, ready to hear more. "Why not?"

****

The sand buffeted the house, howling like a wild beast fighting to get in. It was a little frightening Luke admitted to himself secretly with a tiny shiver, like it was trying to get at them, trying to eat them alive, but at the same time there was a deep sense of comfort, of rightness in the surroundings that permeated him down to his very bones.

His senses tingled slightly and he turned from his tiny window to look over his shoulder at the door. The Jedi stood within the doorway, watching him intently, waiting, hands clasped in front of him as was his custom as if not wanting to startle him by entering suddenly.

"Sir?" Luke acknowledged, wondering if there was something he wanted.

"We're safe in here Luke," Obi-Wan said softly. Luke pulled away from the window, inwardly cringing at the thought of his feelings being so evident. There seemed nowhere to hide, no place deep enough inside, no mask uncrackable; the Jedi seemed to see right through him which worried Luke to no end. If he could see his feelings, what else could he see? What other ugly things could he know? There was power in that, power in the knowledge his Master held that could so easily be used to hurt instead of teach. Paranoia whispered at the edges of his thoughts, sibilant and fleeting. Shaking the darkness from around him (for fear was something a Jedi shed from themselves he reminded himself sternly) he turned to face Obi-Wan.

The Knight entered the room. "You should finish getting ready for bed." He was no longer constrained to keep out of arms reach from Luke, but kept physical contact down to nothing. He had no desire to frighten the boy who seemed adamant in his refusal to shed any of his habits of hiding in corners (though at least he no longer hid under furniture. At least not too often anyways), wary watchful silences, and near fanatical self-reliance among other bizarre survival skills.

Quickly shucking out of his tunic, the learner pulled the nightshirt over his head, brushing the hair out of his eyes absently, baggy sleeves falling back to his elbows suddenly revealing abused flesh.

Biting down a sudden surge of a protective streak the Jedi hadn't had since Anakin was with him he controlled his voice and asked his question. "When did this happen?" Obi-Wan nodded to the jagged scar that spoke of no medical attention from the base of the boy's wrist to his elbow. He made no move to touch it, angry and red as it appeared on the now tanned skin. It screamed of suicide, of hopelessness, and the Knight's stomach twisted at the thought and mental picture of the child, his Padawan, dragging some filthy jagged piece of metal across his flesh in an obviously futile effort to escape the horrors of life.

Luke shrugged tightly looking away as he replied, a clear sign Obi-Wan noted that he was uncomfortable. "It's old, sir. Happened when I was little."

*You *are* little* Obi-Wan thought with a sad smile tempered by a faint exasperation that the boy continued to brush off all openings to discuss the past. *Patience!* he chided himself, *give him time. You haven't even known him a year!*

Luke dragged the overlong sleeves of his nightshirt over the scar, muttering ruefully that it was a waste to have separate clothes for sleeping in. He had resisted every effort Obi-Wan had made to buy him anything except a survival kit which he treasured with the same regard most people prized jewels. But the Knight had been insistent. Obi-Wan was insistent about a lot of things like bedtimes and regular mealtimes even when he wasn't hungry. He used to be hungry all the time until the dull ache in the pit of his stomach was something he lived with every day. Now there was more food than he could be coaxed to eat. His Master was very odd Luke concluded at long last. There was no one else quite like him anywhere. But tolerating the man as a teacher was one thing, having him take *care* of him was quite another.

He was quite capable of taking care of himself!

Obi-Wan listened with a wry expression to the familiar mumbled tirade as he cast his eye around curiously at the rather bare little quarter. There were the school books, paper (Luke like many Jedi before him, including himself preferred it to a light slate), some mechanical odds and ends that had magically migrated inside from the mess he'd been tinkering with at the Lars' mostiure farm, and a prized set of old republic star charts Obi-Wan had given him for study, but precious little else. It barely looked lived in.

Not for the first time, Obi-Wan wished he could fully open the Master/Padawan bond between them. It would help with many things; some levels of training were nearly impossible to complete successfully without it and it would do Luke a world of good to understand how much he was safe and cared for. But it was not possible because of the damned Secret he had to keep from his learner.

He only hoped, someday, that Luke would forgive him.

But at the moment the boy needed to trust, need to care about something again besides surviving from moment to moment. He could not fulfill his potential, his destiny as a Jedi without it.

Obi-Wan wasn't sure how far he had reached with Luke, the child had yet to reach back. His scars ran deep on more than just his skin.

"Jedi need sleep as much as anyone," he reminded his apprentice as he watched the muttering former pickpocket crawl into bed. "Rest now Luke. The storm will rage for hours."

That was the acceptable response to Luke's disgust over bedtimes, or mealtimes, or washing up. Any mention of "because I said so" or "you can make your pallet up near me if you are scared" was unacceptable, null program like a droid that was missing certain crucial pathways.

It was odd.

It was strangely sad.

It was Luke.

And Obi-Wan hoped to remedy it soon.