Chapter 2

She had always hoped to see Luke again but this was a true surprise. Nomica's Aunt Losa had thought a play would be a good idea of a night out. Nomi's idea of fun was far different than her aunt's. Nomi's idea of fun had always been getting in to trouble. The night was going to be fun for her after all. Nomi knew she didn't want to be around when the news of her seeking off got to her father. Her father was a big man and had a temper. That temper seemed to be triggered easily when anything had to do with Luke. During the play Nomi worked on a way to sneak away from her aunt's watchful eye. She was going to have to make an excuse to get up. I'll just tell her I have to use the restroom about ten minutes before the play is over. Then I can just wait for Luke by the bar. In her mind it seemed easy enough, but the chances something could go wrong were very high. Nomi looked at the clock, about thirty more minutes.Nomi kept thinking time sure does seem to linger when you are waiting for something.

She looked down at the watch for what seemed to be the millionth time. This time though it said what she wanted it to. She knew she would have to be careful about how she left. She could not give any kind of hint that she didn't plan on returning to the seat.

"Aunt Losa, I have to use the restroom. I'll be back in just a bit." She said in a calm and normal voice.

"Oh, Nomica, the play is almost over can't you wait?" Her aunt sounded irritated.

"I'm afraid not. I shouldn't take too long." Her aunt's question had almost surprised her, but she knew she had to make it seem believable. She decided to leave her purse behind. It would let her aunt know that she was planning to come back.

Nomi got up and headed to the restroom. She could hang out in there for a while. She had made it so far. She just hoped that Luke would not take too long in meeting her. She had no desire to explain to her aunt why she was standing at the bar. She stood in the restroom leaning against the sink. She began to think about backing out of the whole thing. I'll only be my making the problems with father worse. I know he will be angry at me, but somehow this feels like the right thing to do.

Nomi pondered what to do. She decided to go ahead with the plan. What were the chances they would meet again? Very slim, and she knew that. She looked down at the chrono again and saw two minutes until the show was over. She at least hoped it was over in two minutes. She walked out and came down the staircase. She was walking to the bar when she looked up and saw Luke already standing there.

"What are you doing? I thought we were going to meet after the show was over?" She was surprised to see him there, but glad he was.

"Well, I knew that if I was a minute late that you would hold that against me. And I wanted to make sure I didn't miss you." Luke wanted to tell her that he was too excited to just sit in his seat but he decided to keep that bit of information to himself. "I talked to Han and Leia and they're going to give us a ride back to the palace."

"Okay." She started to realize she was wrong about what she had said about him. He had changed, something in the way he carried himself was different. Something must have happened and she was sure he would tell her.

"They are going to hurry out once the play is over and then we'll head out. I'm glad you decided to stay. We have a lot to catch up on." They could hear the roar of clapping from where they were standing. "I think that is our queue. You haven't decided to back out have you?"

"Please! When have you ever known me to back out of anything that would definitely get me in trouble?" She said sounding a little defensive.

"Okay, I just wanted to make sure. There's Han and Leia. Let's go ahead and go on out." He grabbed her hand and they walked outside. They stood next to the wall outside and didn't say anything. He wasn't sure how comfortable Nomi was with Leia and Han. She had just found out that he had a sister and then to kind of hang around with his sister. She didn't seem uncomfortable around Leia, but then again not too many people could make Nomi nervous. Luke knew he was nervous but he didn't know why he should be.

When Han and Leia came out of the building, hellos weren't said. Luke and Nomi walked a few feet behind Han and Leia. All Nomi could think about was how happy she was to be with him again. And to think, I didn't want to come tonight because I thought it would be boring.

Luke and Nomi were walking down the corridor. She is amazed by the palace. She had never been in a building quite like this one. They had separated from Han and Leia after they arrived. Luke had been telling Nomi about all the things that had happened to him. How he found out his father was still living, his father had died, he found out he had a sister and fought for the Rebel Alliance and with the New Republic. But he was still trying to find away to tell her about his ability with the Force. She was surprised that so much had happened to him since he left.

"Really?" Nomi asked.

"Yeah, I haven't flown her in a while." He knew how much she likes just about any kind of vehicle.

"Do you think we go see the X-wing tomorrow? I'd really like to see it. Did Biggs fly one just like it?" She knew her brother was flying but what she didn't know.

"Yeah, he did." Luke still missed Biggs and seeing Nomica reminded him of all the good times the three of them had on Tatooine. Luke looked at his feet as the walked. "Maybe we can take the twins over to see it. They might like to see it too."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" She didn't really know what to say but she could tell that her question had touched a nerve.

"I'm okay. If we can't take the twins, I'll be sure to take you after my sister picks them up." Luke used the Force to calm himself; he didn't want to upset Nomi. "Speaking of siblings how's your family back home."

"Well my dad is just as stubborn as ever. But his short temper finally got him about two years ago, he had a heart attack. He was in the hospital for a while but he's doing fine now, back to him old self. Decame is doing good, he just got engaged."

"Really? Decame? That's a little hard to believe. How old is he now?" Luke had remembered her little brother. He was always a trouble maker, he never got in as much trouble as Biggs and Nomi but still he had his share.

"Yes. My dad tells me she is really sweet." She, too, had a little bit of surprise in her voice.

"So how's your mother doing?"

"I guess you hadn't heard?" Her tone was not a happy one.

"Heard what?"

"Luke, she died. About ten years ago. She got picked up by some Tuscan Raiders."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"There was really no one to tell you. It's been awhile since you talked to anyone from Tatooine. Luke, don't get me wrong I'm enjoying myself but its past midnight. And if I'm going to help you watch two five year olds I need some rest."

"Did I forget to tell you about Anakin? He'll be there too, but I can take care of him no problem. He's four."

"The more the merrier." Nomi babysat lots of children when she was back home.

"You know what? I think we past your room quite a while ago." He chuckled.

"Hey, you're supposed to be showing me my room, your no help if you've already past it up twice. I'm beginning to think that you don't know this place like you thought you did." She had to take this chance to pick at him.

"It's down this hallway. That's why I keep passing it." Luke couldn't figure out why he was acting so funny around her. He knew he would figure it out eventually. "Here it is."

"Thanks Luke." She really hadn't minded it taking so long.

"It was no problem. Um, can we meet before we have breakfast with Leia and everyone else? I want to talk to you about something."

"Well, we'll have to because I don't know where you live."

"I'm sorry. How about I just come down here and I can walk with you to my apartment?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Okay then. I'll come for you in the morning." Luke kissed Nomi on the forehead and walked away. He planned on telling her tomorrow about his ability with the Force. He had never felt nervous about telling someone about it. Maybe it's our history together he thoughtThat was the only reason he could think of. He would have to try to tell her. Then Master Yoda's lesson popped into his head, do, or do not there is no try. He would tell her in the morning.

Luke shot straight to a sitting position. He was out of breath. Something had woken him out of a sound sleep. He used the force to try to figure out what it could have been. He sensed something was wrong a few floors below his, where Nomica was staying. He ran as fast as he could to get dressed. He was out the door in less than a few minutes.

He decided not to wait for the repulsor lift. He would take the stairs they would be quicker. His danger senses intensified as he came through the level's door. He ran to Nomi's door and was able to use the force to get it open. This was easy because the door wasn't locked, Luke knew something was wrong.

He began to look around the guest apartment. He sensed three beings in the bedroom. He pressed the button and the door opened. Two figures were going through the dresser drawers. The two figures jumped as they saw Luke enter. There was someone else in the room, and it had to be Nomi. All of the sudden he felt his lightsaber leave its normal place by his side. He heard it ignite and looked up. Suddenly there was someone standing out of the closet, with the lightsaber in hand.

With the flick of her wrist Nomi sliced down the two intruders. She, herself was scared and out of breath. She looked down at the bodies and then back at Luke. There was a look of surprise across his face. She had no idea what she could say to him. So she said nothing and didn't move. She stood there with the lightsaber ignited in her hands.

Luke stared for a moment, "I think we have some things to talk about."

"Yeah, we do." Nomi closed down the lightsaber and handed it back to Luke. She was shaky in her movements and her voice. She had clearly been shaken up by the incident.

"I'll call security to come and get your things." Luke could tell this was something she didn't do on a regular basis. "I'm going to call Leia, too. She needs to know about this security breech."

"Um, okay," was all she could manage to get out.