And Vega Lights My Way

Chapter 16

I suppose there have been times when you felt like a room filled with darkness,
not a window around.
There must have been moments you felt you were truly alone.
Then again, each of us knows in a night of unbearable sadness,
still a light can be found.
In each morning the promise that someday your true love will come.

– Denver, Never a Doubt

Luke had stayed behind at the Temple, although he wasn't exactly sure why. There was nothing to see really. Scavengers and salvagers had stolen anything of value many years ago.

Well, most things, Luke thought to himself. He cast his eyes to the small smoking pile of rubble that rested not far from where he had found Master Canaille and his son. A glance was all it took to show him that whatever Kay'leb – or the entity that had possessed him – had been guarding had been almost completely destroyed. There was nothing left but a smoldering heap.

Then why are you still here, Skywalker? Do you plan to wallow in the ruins of the past forever?

Luke sighed and scooped up a handful of dust, allowing it to dance through his fingertips.

Is this what you're going to do with Aubé?

The last of the dust clung to his fingertips, yet even that small amount sparkled in the fading light of the afternoon.

Over at the Healer's center, Aubé sat by her brother's bedside, holding his frail hand clasped gently in her own. When Kampher walked in, she didn't look up.

"He'll be back soon, Aubé," Kampher said gently. "You should get some rest, too."

"How's Pappa?" Aubé asked colorlessly. "They wouldn't let me see him."
"Sleeping now," Kampher said, tenderly resting a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "As you should be."

"I want to stay with Kay, Mother."

"All right," Kampher murmured. She cradled Aubé's head to her heart. "You can stay for a little longer. I want to see to your father once more before they replace the implants for his leg."

Aubé's eyes widened. "Mother! Is he going to be all right?"

"He'll be fine, Aubé," Kampher assured her, and then sighed softly. "It's not the way it was before. It will take only days, not months, for him to heal this time." She kissed the top of her daughter's head. "I'll be back in a few minutes, and then and I'll need you to leave me to tend to your brother." Kampher reached into her pocket and pulled out a small vial, the contents of which swirled with a mix of green and light pink. "There's a free bed in the next room, Aubé. When I return, I expect to see this gone, and you in that bed. Do I make myself clear?"

Aubé wrinkled her nose, "Yes Mother," she said petulantly. She held the vial up to her face, eyeing it suspiciously. "What's in this?"

"Insurance," Kampher said absently. "You need to rest. There will be time for… for other things …another day." She kissed her daughter on the top of her head again before departing, unaware that Aubé had tipped the contents into a waste bin, un-swallowed.

Luke arrived at the Healer's center just as Kampher was exiting Schurke's room.

"Be sure to take extra care to monitor his respitory system," she said shortly to the Medics. "Remember, I had to use the heavier sedation on Master Canaille as he's practically resistant to almost everything you can throw at him." As soon as she saw Luke, however, her demeanor changed completely. She ignored the formal bow he offered, and took him into a warm embrace.

"They're all going to be all right," she murmured into his ear. "Thank you for getting help so quickly."

"Aubé…"

"Is with Kay'leb," Kampher said quietly. "Luke, can you stay with her for a little while? I want her to rest in the other room, and I think your company would go a long way to help her with that."

"I'd… I'd like that," Luke admitted, blushing. "I need to talk to her…"

Wordlessly, Kampher took him by the hand, and lead him to Kay'leb's room.

Aubé hadn't moved, seemingly rooted to the spot. When she looked up at last, Luke could see her eyes were glassy with tears.

"Aubé…" Kampher said softly. "It's time for you to go. Luke, would you be so kind?"

Dumbly, he nodded, and gently took Aubé's hand in his own. Aubé, however, was reluctant to leave her brother's side. She cast her eyes at Kampher forlornly.

"Mother?"

"Go on, Aubé," Kam said quietly. "Luke will take care of you. I need to tend to your brother."

"Come on, Nails," he said, putting an arm around Aubé, slowly helping her to her feet.

Aubé could only nod as fresh tears began to fall. "I'll be back, Kay," she whispered to her sleeping brother. "I won't leave you for long…"

"Shhh, Aubé, it'll be all right…" Luke murmured, as she sobbed in his arms. He held her closer. She began to sink lower, her legs losing strength, and with a single swoop, Luke lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

"It's my fault," she sobbed into Luke's chest as he stroked her hair. "I should have listened to Pappa…"

"Aubé…" Luke whispered again. "It'll be all right…" He lay back on the bed, cradling her close to his chest. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and Aubé put an arm around his neck, drawing nearer, her sobs slowing to hitches.

Still stroking her hair, Luke kissed her eyelids, tasting the bitter salt of tears, while his other hand gently touched her arm. She tentatively kissed his check, nearly his lips. He suddenly felt warm all over, and to his embarrassment, once again his body began to react to the woman he held in his arms.

The door closed with a quiet click behind them, leaving them with only the lights from the city outside that filtered delicately through the slatted blinds.

This isn't right, not now… he thought to himself. It's as though I'm taking advantage…

He kissed her again, first her nose, then lightly on the lips.

A hitch, then Aubé kissed him back.

"Aubé…" Luke murmured. "You know I… I don't want to…" Yet he continued to stroke her arm. "Earlier… it was different."

"Different? How?" Aubé whispered, caressing his cheek, tears drying on her lashes. "Contact is healing, anyway. Do you… do you still want me?" She nestled into the crook of his neck and raised one of her legs over his waist delicately.

Luke pulled her closer, the hand that had been caressing her arm slid down to her waist.

"I… I do." He replied hoarsely. "But this isn't right…" He brushed her cheek with his fingers then down to her lips. He gave her a tender squeeze. "You…You're… vulnerable right now…"

"Do you want me?" she asked again, the sadness slipping out of her voice. "Honestly?" she slid her calf down his thigh evoking a shiver from the man beneath her.

"I have for a long time," Luke admitted. "I wanted you last night – I almost came to your apartment until I remembered that your father knew how to use a lightsaber…"

Aubé sighed. "Your com…"

"Is in the other room…Should I stop?" Luke asked her anxiously. "Aubé…"

"No… Don't say anything, Luke," Aubé whispered. "Just love me…" She drew his face closer to hers and closed her eyes which were brimming with fresh tears. She lowered her lips and kissed him again, her tongue lightly parting his lips. Slowly, he began to undo the front of her shirt.

Almost.

Aubé sat up as Luke backed away.

"You don't want to," he said nervously apologetic. "I understand…"

"No, it's not that," Aubé laughed a little. "It's just easier if I take this off…" She reached around and undid the clasp. As the garment fell away, Luke swallowed. Hard. "Take off yours…" she told him quietly.

After Luke stripped his shirt away, they both sat therefore a moment, looking at each other. Although they had eaten together, even showered and dressed together, and almost loved already, this was an entirely new experience. Tentatively, Luke leaned down and kissed her again.

"I won't break, Luke," Aubé sighed, lying back. "I want you…"

"Wait…" he kissed her long and deeply. "We… we should slow down… I've never... I mean…"

"I'm your first?" Aubé asked him without a hint of depreciation. "Luke, I'm honored…"

"Yes," he whispered. "You are my first… Aubé…" he kissed her again. "I wanted to tell you last night, but…"

"No matter, Luke…" Aubé murmured softly, pulling him down to her. "We'll go slowly…"

A few hours later, Luke awoke to a soft knock at the door. Beside him, Aubé stirred and then snuggled closer to him, but did not seem to wake. Self conscious of their clothes strewn all over the floor, Luke pulled the rumpled blanket up before calling softly to the door.

"Come in," he croaked, suddenly very aware that it was Kampher on the other side of the door, and that his arms were wrapped around her daughter's bare body. He pulled the blanket higher, embarrassed.

The door opened a crack, but Kam did not enter. "Is my daughter awake?" she asked softly, and Luke could have sworn he heard amusement in her voice.

"I am, Mother," Aubé replied, running her foot over Luke's calf playfully. He shivered.

"I just wanted you to know," Kampher murmured through the door. "Your brother woke a little while ago… Oddly enough, his first words were, it's about time, Bé … I think he's still hallucinating, but I wanted you to know he's through the worst…"

"Thank you Mother," Aubé replied, but the door had already closed again.

Luke lightly touched her chin, and brought her lips up to his in a soft kiss.

"Do you think she knew?"

Aubé began to caress the small of his back. She kissed him back, her tongue lightly pushing between his lips.

"Probably," she murmured, pulling him closer. "Does it matter?"

Luke nuzzled the crook of her neck. "Not really… I guess…" She sighed his name as he moved lower...

They made love twice more that night, but in the morning, Luke awoke to find himself alone.