HI! It's me alright. i told you i would have the next chapter up by Christmas. i'm working on the last chapter right now and i should have it typed up and uploaded in the next few days though i don't think by Christmas - we have too much going on - but we'll see.

Chapter 8

A couple hours after Kida had her talk with Luke she finished her talk with Leia and began watching the celebration to the side. As she looked around she saw Obi-wan, Yoda, and Anakin in their spectral forms standing off to one side, watching the celebration. With a joyful smile on her face, Kida quickly got up and walked to the three Jedi. As she did so Obi-wan saw her, her face lighting up as he walked to her.

When they met up, Ben looked her over and asked nervously, "Kida? Is that you?" she chuckled warmly and replied, "Yes, it's me all right." He shifted around awkwardly as he also chuckled and said, "I guess what you said did come true… We haven't seen each other since I left with Luke so many years ago." Kida merely nodded, saying as she did so, "You're right."

Ben smiled and asked her, "So what have you been up to?" with that Kida sighed and began to look a bit nervous as she said, "Ya, I wanted to talk to you about that. Can we talk somewhere private?" A bit worried Ben just nodded as he said, "Sure." They walked a short distance away from the party and sat down on a log. Obi-wan turned to Kida and asked, "What is it you wanted to talk about, Kida?"

She sighed again and replied, "Do you remember the two kids who were playing with Luke and Leah when you came for Luke?" Ben nodded, puzzled, as he said, "Ya, the ones you were taking care of while their parents were away? What about them?" She began picking at her cloak as she said, "Well, I have something to confess." Curious, Ben asked, "What is that?" Taking a deep breath, Kida replied, "Those kids weren't my neighbor's. They were mine."

After a moment of stunned silence Ben managed to screech out a strangled, "YOURS?! What do you mean yours?" She just smiled nervously as she said, "Exactly what I said – they were my children. Their names are Mara-Jade and Meki-Jevo. They're twins." Still shocked but now somewhat calmed Ben said, "What!? Who's the father?" Kida began twiddling her thumbs as she mumbled out, "That's why I wanted to talk to you, Obi-wan – you're the father."

At hearing this Ben jumped up, exclaiming as he did so, "WHAT?! I was the father? You're telling me that I fathered twins and you never told me – instead you lied to me about who's they were?" She hung her head sadly as she replied quietly, "Yes. I'm sorry Obi-wan, but I didn't want you torn between staying with the kids and I and doing what you had to do to protect Luke. I told you that you wouldn't get to see your children grow up." Ben immediately calmed down and curiously asked, "When did this happen?"

Kida nervously looked up at him as she said, "Remember that night in the cave when you told me that you loved me?" He then blinked and lowered himself back down onto the log as he said, "Then? So you were pregnant during the mission and when Padmé gave birth?" She nodded and replied, "Yes, I was. It wasn't until we got back to Coruscant that I found out that I was pregnant because I had so much on my mind." Nodding understandingly he said, "Oh. I understand. I still wish you had told me though."

Kida sighed and shrugged as she said, "I know. But it was for the best." Smiling wirily he asked, "So where are my children now?" Kida smiled, laughing lightly and said, "Mara-Jade was working for the emperor for several years – up until he was killed. Meki-Jevo has been working as a shipping merchant for an honorable company for several years now." Looking at her in astonishment he said, "Really? Wow." He then sat back in shock as he let all that he had heard sink in.

As he sat thinking, Kida fidgeted a bit and said, "Look, Obi-wan, I know that you're a bit angry with me about this and I don't blame you for it. I wish you could have known too but it wasn't to be for the good of the republic." Hearing this, Ben just looked at her lovingly and smiled as he replied, "Oh, I understand, Kida. I'm not angry with you, just a little disappointed. I just wish that I had been able to see them take their first steps and say their first words. I wish that I could have heard them call me father that's all."

Kida exhaled in relief and said, "I see. Thank you for not being angry with me. I couldn't bear it if you were." At that he laughed and said, "Don't worry about it Kida. I couldn't stay angry with you. Ya know what? I don't think that I ever could." Then they just smiled at each other as they got up off the log and walked back to the celebration side by side. As they walked back she saw Anakin and took a short leave of Obi-wan to go speak with him. When she got to him she said, "Hello, Anakin."

He immediately recognized her and bowed in acknowledgement as he said, "Why hello, Mistress Kida. It's been a long time since I last saw you." She merely nodded and smiled as she replied, "Yes it has, hasn't it?" Anakin smiled in return and asked, "So what have you been up to?" Shrugging nonchalantly, she said, "Well for the past 20 or so years I've been raising my own children and watching over yours." Lifting an eyebrow in surprise he said, "Really? That's wonderful."

Smiling all she said was, "Ya it has been. Anyway to get to the reason I came over…" Nodding curiously he said, "Yes, what is it?" Fidgeting a bit Kida asked him, "Well I got to thinking… You haven't seen your wife since you became a Sith haven't you?" After giving it a moment of thought he nodded in agreement as he replied, "Yes that sounds about right. I wish I could see her again and be able to speak to her." Smiling mischievously she asked, "What if I can make that possible?" Surprised, all he could do was nod as he asked her, "How?"

All she said was, "What if I can arrange for you to meet her? Would you want to?" Letting his hope rise he exclaimed, "Would I? Are you kidding? Of course I would!" Smiling happily, she replied, "Very well then. Meet me on Naboo on the island where you were married." Anakin nodded and asked, "Sure but when?" Hearing this, she said, "Meet me there in two days." Looking like a kid at Christmas he said, "Very well. I'll see you then." With that, Kida returned to Obi-wan and they continued watching the celebrating rebels.

Hey, whaddya think? a bit short but oh well. it just allows me to have one more chapter before i'm done. i should have it up soon so keep an eye out.
- JediProphetessSchag