Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Wars related, but the idea of Adali.


Chapter 3

Family

It wasn't the most common occurrence for Poe to get lost in thought with his brow furrowed together as he tried to figure out the puzzle he so desperately wanted to be relieved of. Typically Poe only got that way when there was a particularly difficult mission coming up and was trying to formulate the best strategy to go about succeeding while still bringing everyone home in one piece. The only other reason was if someone he cared about, usually his squadmates, were hurt.

It was none of those instances that currently had Poe with a headache as he tried to eat dinner with the rest of Black Squadron after having arrived not too long ago from the assignment of retrieving Adalin Vara Zarkot. After getting freshened up, Poe made his way to the cantina to retrieve a long awaited hot meal, where he stumbled upon his squadron already gathered at a table breaking bread. Once he'd obtained a tray of his own, he ventured over and joined the group that gave him both a warm welcome, and comradic teasing.

Eventually though, Poe's mind went back to his now completed mission. Adali hadn't exactly been what he'd expected when he'd finally figured out she was the one he was to be picking up off of Coruscant. He'd expected some big, burly male with scars, calloused hands (since he'd been informed there was only one real hand), and oil stained clothing. A cocky name that was too loud for his own good, most likely drunk off his ass.

But that wasn't Adali.

Adali was petite at 5'3". An athletic feminine build, but clearly not only muscle. She was figured; a small, toned stomach, rounded hips. Her dirty blonde hair had been braided and hung over one shoulder. Her clothes hadn't an ounce of grease or oil spots anywhere, and she wasn't even drinking alcohol. Instead, when she spoke, her words were deliberate and soft spoken. She was sweet - evident by how quickly BB-8 took to her. And those deep blue eyes of hers seemed to glisten when she laughed and smiled, which he found she only ever really did in response to something he'd pushed to break the tension. Otherwise, she was kind, but reserved.

She was beautiful, without a doubt. She'd been so naturally pretty, with no added makeup like the other women in the facility. She was dressed modestly, and was still more captivating that any of the scantily dressed dangers at Dealer's Den. Clearly she wasn't looking for attention. She's sat in a back corner where she could see the layout of the room with all the exits. She was in the dark corner so people couldn't see her too easily. She didn't wear anything too tight to attract the sexual attention of anyone in particular. Her sleeves were long, no doubt specifically to hide her prosthetic arm, which he noted, she found herself rubbing or wringing when she was lost in thought or bothered by something.

Something didn't sit well with him though. A lot of his questions had been dodged. He knew a little now; like some things about her family, but none by name. No locations. No specifics. The only tangible thing was that her mother had been a slave on Tatooine and had been freed by her father. That area was so uncivilized that it would've been impossible to find a record of any such evidence to verify her claim.

"I'm not the enemy, Poe. "

Her words echoed in his head longer than he thought possible. No, he supposed he didn't think she was the enemy. But there was definitely something different about her. Something she wasn't telling him, or anybody, he guessed. But Leia seemed to know something. There was no way that the looks they'd exchanged when they'd first reunited said anything different. There was history and raw emotion there. A vulnerability he hadn't seen in the two women before, though he supposed that wasn't saying too much about Adali. It didn't seem like something she'd often let others see though.

"He's not even listening to us."

The words hadn't registered in his brain, nor had anything spoken before the moment a fritzle fry smacked Poe in the face. Before the dark haired man backed up a bit in his seat, he blinked a few times to shake away the daze he'd found himself in. He found the four other occupants of the table laughing and smiling at him, while he glanced down to see the food that had hit him in the face landed atop his sandwich.

"Very funny," he muttered. By the contents of the food on the trays in front of each member of his team, the assailant had been Jessika Pava, a fellow pilot.

There were four pilots Poe was in charge of, and a single technician. Three of them were humans: Jessika Pava, Karé Kun, and Temmin "Snap" Wexley were pilots, along with L'ulo L'ampar, a Duros male that had served with his father and was like an uncle to Poe. Lastly was their technician and aspiring pilot, Oddy Muva, an Abednedo man. All of which were hand picked by Poe for his Black Squadron team tasked with one primary goal: finding Luke Skywalker, though in doing this, they needed to find Lor San Tekka.

"So? Are you going to tell us how the mission went?" Jessika pressed, resuming her consumption of her fries.

"Could've been better," Poe admitted, bobbing his head from side to side a bit as if thinking it over. "Wasn't the worst though. The new technician is nuts, I swear. She nearly got me killed after I took a blaster shot for her."

Snap gave him a hard pat on the shoulder after hearing this. "Well, you're still in one piece, so I guess we're stuck with you for a bit longer."

"What did she do?" Karé asked.

"She nearly crashed us into a building while we were getting chased by some bounty hunters. She flipped us upside down, then flipped us again to right us using the building, and proceeded to play chicken with the other spacer before she told me to jump out of it. I missed the shuttle BB-8 met us in, so she nearly came over the wing with me after grabbing me," Poe muttered quickly, more frustrated than embarrassed. The group erupted into laughter again, this time Poe was confused because of them, not because of flying food. "What?"

"How did she manage to get into the driver's seat before you?" L'ulo asked. "You never let anyone else pilot."

"We were running from the hunters and she got there first," Poe said.

"Sounds more like she should be joining us up in the air instead of just fixing shit," Jessika said. "If she could pull something off like that, then she's gotta be a damn good pilot."

"But that's not even the worst part. Guys, she started flying with her eyes closed. None of us are that reckless!" Poe insisted.

"That's bantha shit and you know it," Karé said. "Any of us would've tried to do the same thing if we'd thought of it. Kinda surprised it wasn't you doing it."

"It's not just that," Poe insisted. "There's something abo-and there she is…"

Poe's eyes were on the food line, where only two figures made their way through. They all knew General Organa, but Black Squadron had their attention drawn to the blonde woman beside her. Both women, even from the distance they were at, looked worn and puffy eyed.

"She's hot," Snap stated, eyeing the newcomer. Karé smacked his arm with the back of her hand, resulting in a mumbled, "Ow! What?"

"Have any of you ever seen General Organa that upset?" Oddy asked.

Nobody answered verbally. It was as if answering was actually admitting that their fearless leader had a weakness. Not that she ever made any of them feel weak when they happened to fall short. But Leia Organa was a legend, and that image was hard to break, even to those that knew the woman personally. She may have been human, just like them, but she also stood for so much more.

"Justs keep an eye on Adali Vara Zarkot," Poe instructed.


Having grown up with Luke Skywalker as her father, Adali had known what it was like to be the center of attention. That did not, however, mean she ever liked, nor got used to the sensation. It had been better back then though simply because she'd usually have Ben around with her. As long as he was there, she could focus on him, and he liked to do the same with her. Neither of them wanted to be stared at just because of who their parents were.

And though nobody but Leia knew who she really was, that didn't mean that a new face accompanied by their fearless leader wasn't going to be the center of attention. So the quick trip to the cantina to grab food really had been just that. They'd grabbed whatever they could and hustled their way back to Leia's room to continue to discuss the past.

The food was gone at a normal pace. Neither wanted to prolong the inevitable despite the dread of having to go through with it. But once the food was consumed, they pushed the trays off to the side and settled in to get as comfortable as they could. After all, they could try and relax all they wanted, but that didn't mean they'd ever be settled with the topics to come.

"How long did it take for you to figure out something was wrong?" Adali finally asked. "I didn't want Artoo to send out a message in case the First Order was listening, but I didn't really know what else to do."

"It didn't take too long, sweetheart," Leia assured.


With the Cold War currently in full swing, and the need for espionage and preparations should things escalate between the new First Order, and the Galactic Senate were needed. The Resistance, though technically separate from the government, was still working towards the same goal. With how heated everything currently was, Leia Organa-Solo often found it difficult to visit, or to contact her family at the Jedi Temple.

However, every few weeks on Centaxday after evening meal, Leia would remain on a holocall with her family sharing the latest events of the Galactic Senate, as well as her own activities. In return, Leia would have some time with her brother, her son, and her niece, though not specifically in that order. It was always the highlight of her week when they had their meetings, and it was something she was always sure never to miss. If it was cancelled, it was always communicated beforehand, and rescheduled, but that was so infrequent that it almost never happened. And never, never did either party never not show up.

Until now.

At first, Leia just thought there was a technical problem on her end. Once a diagnostic was run and found that the issue was not on her part, then perhaps on the other end. Contacting R2D2, Luke's droid, was the next logical step Leia took, but that too was met with absolute silence. Now that was worrisome.

Not wanting to neglect her responsibilities, nor overreact, Leia waited until the following evening on Taugsday. When Leia was met with silence once more, she knew something was very wrong. She had her assistant reschedule whatever meetings she had, or cancel the ones that were less important, and had Han pick her up.

Han, though her husband, was still a free spirit and was often off with Chewbacca on some misadventure that she most likely wouldn't approve of. But when it came to important things like this, when Leia seemed concerned and shaken, then Han knew something was very wrong. Luke may have been a knucklehead in his youth, but he'd stepped up after having learned the responsibilities that came from parenting and teaching.

To say that Han wasn't a little bit concerned would've been a blatant lie. Missing a meeting was something he was more likely to do. Luke, perhaps, as well if he'd gone off world on a mission with Ben right behind him. Ami, on the other hand, was so much like Leia and her mother Odalla. She'd never miss a call with the woman she looked up to so much. And if she had to, she was always a stickler for informing the opposite party of the change. If Ami hadn't said anything and didn't show up, something had to have been very wrong.

The flight was smooth and uneventful, if not heavy in atmosphere as they all eagerly awaited to land. Chewy, ever the optimist when it came to the two, tried to make the scared parents a little more relaxed with kind words and a distracting conversation of tales of their latest misadventure.

All of that stopped when their eyes landed on the utter ruins of the Jedi Academy. There were still some smolders alight, but for the most part the fire had died down and left the area in hues of gray and black, bodies and ruined structures standing in the wake of the events of days prior. Cautiously, with blasters ready, the three left the confines of the Millenium Falcon and went in search of any sign of life.

Leia, sensitive in the Force, closed her eyes and took a moment to reach out. "There is no one here," she told them, lowering her blaster, but not relaxing. She sighed in a bit of relief. Had Ben been killed then she would've most definitely felt it. If she couldn't sense anyone it meant that he wasn't there. "Ben's not here."

Han nodded, the same look of relief in his eyes, but it didn't last long. Ben may not have been there, but then where was he? Where was Luke? Where was Ami? Where did all of the other students go? "Who could've done this? Nobody knows it's here," Han said, his brow furrowed in disbelief.

They needed to look for clues. Clues as to where everybody was, who did this, and even how! How could someone do this to a Jedi Temple? Some of the most powerful people in the making were living there. Only a select few knew they were even there. Luke would've never let anything happen to those kids, let alone his kid.

"Oh Luz."

Luz was the first body they came upon, and with that one discovery the dominos started to fall. They started to find bodies one after the other. Leia had tears already streaming down her cheeks, and Han was never one for outward emotions such as that, but he was feeling the anger and sadness for the sight of all those young people dead. The war was over. Things like this weren't supposed to happen anymore.

Chewy, farther ahead than the married couple, called out to them that he'd found R2DR. When the running couple finally made it to them, they found Chewbacca kneeling in front of the white and blue droid.

"He's powered down," Han stated. "Is he-"

Leia knelt in front of the droid and placed her hand on his dome, causing the lights to dimly light back up. Before anything else could be said, the old droid projected a message, showing Ami kneeling, as if she were looking down at something most likely having been that very droid.

She was not how they remembered her. Instead of a smiling, upbeat young Jedi, Ami was beaten, filthy, exhausted, disheveled, and missing an entire arm. It was clear that Ami had made this message after the Temple had been attacked and destroyed, which meant she was still alive. Nowhere to be found, but she was alive.

"Oh my sweet girl," Leia sighed, grabbing hold of Han's arm.

"Looks like she took after her father," Han muttered dryly. "Losing a hand must be a Skywalker thing."

"Are you ready, Artoo?" Ami asked. R2D2 beeped in response. "Oh, sorry. I didn't know you'd already started." She took in a deep breath and composed herself a moment before she put up her professional Jedi face and continued.

"Uncle Han, Aunt Leia, Chewy, if you're seeing this, it means you've discovered that the Temple was attacked and destroyed. While on petrol a Force Storm struck and destroyed the buildings, killing all students and…" Ami trailed off, clearly still bothered by everything that had happened and what she'd witnessed. "They're all dead. I tried to find survivors, but he left no one alive.

"What I am about to disclose to you is extremely difficult, and I'm not sure you're going to believe me." There was another pause. Her mouth opened, but words never came. She closed her mouth, her eyes squeezing shut tightly, morphin into an expression of pain. "Luke is dead," she said. "Dad's gone, or at least that's what Ben said. I can't feel him in the Force anymore. But I...I don't know." With her one remaining hand, Ami rubbed her eyes. "Ben said Master Luke tried to kill him in his sleep because he could sense him turning to the dark side. So he killed him, and took out the Temple as well. He tried to get me to join him, but…"

Ami ran her hand over her face again, and if she'd had the other one, it would've been doing the same thing. "When I refused to join him, Ben turned on me. He tried to kill me. I fell over the ravine, and he cut my arm off so that I'd fall to my death. When I woke up, he was gone. I can only assume he believes I'm dead.

"Though Ben has turned, I could still sense the light in him. Right now, I'm not strong enough to stop him. But I promise you I'll do everything I can to bring your son back." Tears were now falling down the image's face, her mouth quivering as she spoke. "For the time being, I will be masking my Force Signature with the air of the old Masters, and working to complete my training. I left a secured commlink within Artoo's storage so that when the time comes, I can contact you to join you. For now, for my own safety and anyone that I come into contact with is in danger if I remain Ami Rorin Skywalker. We shall be the only ones to know that I am alive. If anyone else is to ask, she is dead. I will have new documentation drafted for an identity for Adali Vara Zarkot.

"Again, I'm so, so sorry," Ami cried. "I-I promise, this is not the end. And I just hope you can forgive me for failing you, and Ben. I love you so much. As always, may the Force be with you."

The projections turned off, the compartment opened to reveal the commlink, and R2D2 went dark.


"We cleared the debris and had a proper burial for everyone," Leia said. "Things fell apart between Han and I after that."

Adali's stomach dropped. "I'm sorry. I shoul-"

"You need to stop putting all of this one you," Leia corrected her. "Ben made his choice, and you tried to help him. If you'd been with us we don't know if word would've gotten out that you were alive. If they knew that, then you would've been constantly hunted down. It wasn't your job to fix our marriage. That was a failure on mine and Han's."

That didn't make Adali feel any less guilty, though. She supposed she'd never feel anything goof regarding the events that happened as a result of that terrible evening. Well, except for one thing: Anakin.

"Who was it that trained you?" Leia asked.

Adali gave a soft smile. "Now that is a funny story…"


It was unknown how long Ami had floated down the river. She's been battered and bruised from the rapids knocking her around while she was unconscious, but eventually she'd awoken on the banks of the river south of the temple. It was unclear which hurt more, the pain from the nerves above and around the severed arm - which did not bleed as the lightsaber cauterize the wound, but the burnt area left the surrounding nerves screaming - or the pain in her heart from the betrayal of one of the only people Ami had ever truly loved and trusted with her whole being.

It was not yet dawn, but the air had still turned to that brisk cold that always seems to greet her when she awoke before the sun. It always felt different than midnight air, but perhaps that was just her. The fire could still be seen raging above, but it had died down significantly. The docking station just across the south field had a few new empty places. Grimtaash, Ben's ship, was now gone, as well as a small ship often used for small, single assignments.

It took significantly longer to return to the Temple than it ever has, even in her days as a Youngling, but she knew there was nothing waiting for her upon her return. Luke was dead. Ben was gone. And her friends and fellow Jedi were forever lost to her now. This safe place, this place she once considered home, no longer offered anything to her but pain, and awful memories.

What was she supposed to do now? The Jedi Order was now gone. She was the last Jedi Knight. Leia, though trained by Luke, never considered herself a Jedi Knight or Master. There was the Resistance, she supposed. She could join her Aunt Leia and take steps to stop her cousin, but how was she going to face Leia knowing that she'd failed to save the very soul of the only child she'd had? How was Ami supposed to explain to Han, the man that has taught them how to play sabacc with Chewbacca?

None of that seemed right. Not after failing to protect so many innocent people. She hadn't been able to stop Ben, a man she'd bested countless times in practice. Now that man was responsible for all of the dead burning before her. That man was now off to become a Sith Lord, just as their grandfather Anakin had become.

But Darth Vader, adamant that Anakin no longer existed, ended up coming back and helping Luke to win the day against Palpatine all those years ago. She'd heard the story countless times. Good prevailing over evil.

Was Ben truly lost, or was he simply misguided as Anakin had once been?

"What is lost is often found."

A scream escaped her lips as she jumped, her foot spilling and tipping her over into the trunk of one of the trees littering the bank. She landed on her injured left shoulder, causing another noise to escape her lungs, this time one of pain. She crumpled to her butt, tears slipping out of her eyes as she tried to regain her composure. Once she was no longer seeing white, her blue eyes looked up into an equally blue pair.

The man standing before her looked to the same age as her, if not a year or so older. His dirty blond hair was a little longer than most men often wore it, causing the ends to curl behind his ears, and falling over his forehead. Over his right eye and cheek was a pale scar. He was taller than her, the build of a warrior, and his lips quirked mischievously. His robes were dark brown, and clearly much like what she and every other individual there wore. Jedi robes.

Most noticeably, however, were not his physical features. It was the light pale blue light that he appeared bathed in, like the blue glow that emitted off her lightsaber when ignited. The man before her wasn't alive. No, alive. Just not on the human plane she was on. There was the almost overwhelming presence of the Force.

"You're a Force Ghost," Ami said through gritted teeth. Not because of anger or malice. She was simply in so much pain. "Who are you? And why have you come to me?"

His smirk grew wider, and had his eyes not been so light, the look could've looked far more sinister. He moved his robes away from his legs and knelt in front of her. His right hand, which was artificial, leaned against his kneel to support himself. "I believe you know who I am."

Ami's eyes narrowed, but she didn't know this man. His force signature was not familiar to her. She'd only ever really recognized her father's, her aunt's, and Ben's. It took a good deal of time together, and bonding, for one to be able to recognize a force signature from afar. And that was with individuals that were force sensitive. Normal people were far harder to track and sense.

But even though she didn't know this man, he didn't seem, no, feel a danger, or a stranger. She didn't know him, but she wasn't scared of him. Ami closed her eyes and waited until her breathing was calmer before she reached out with the Force. She didn't have much strength, but this seemed important. Again, as she let the feeling of the Force enter and exchange, she knew that she'd never met the man, so his signature was unusual, but as she allowed it to flow through her openly, it was familiar. Not in terms of having met before, but as in a hint of it within the others she was able to sense. Ami's eyes shot open.

They were family.

"Grandfather," she said, her brow knitting in confusion. "Anakin Skywalker."

Anakin's smirk morphed into a smile, a fond smile. "Yes."

"What," Ami began, shifting to sit more comfortably, "What are you doing here? Why have you come now? Why didn't you go to Ben when he said he wanted to be like Vader, when clearly you're not Vader!"

Anakin's smile fell as Ami's angry and confused words registered within him. He stood, his hands returning to the insides of his robe sleeves. "Are you familiar with the Guardian's Mantra?"

There was no hesitation in Ami's response. "Yes, of course. The Force is with me, and I am one with the Force; and I fear nothing, for all is as the Force wills it."

"I often found this mantra rather," Anakin said, turning his head to look at the fire, "mindless. There was so much I questioned, and the only answers I ever received were from the Sith. The Jedi Order never approved of my challenge of the status quo."

"Then why bring it up in the first place?" Ami asked.

"Because there is much you still do not know, Youngling," Anakin said, the term used both endearingly and as a tease. "I was never a Jedi Master in my mortal days, but there is much I have learned since turning from the Dark Side, and joining the Force in my death. The rationale may still not be conventional, but it is as the Force wills it."

"So you are saying that it's the Force's will for you to come to me, and not Ben?" Ami asked.

"As well as my own," Anakin said. "I turned to the dark side because I was hoping to save Padmé and my child - my children. I thought that the Jedi Order was against me because I couldn't stop feeling my emotions, and I didn't necessarily want to stop."

"You loved her," Ami said. "All of them. I-I don't agree with all of the precepts either, but-"

"Together, perhaps, we can learn to create a new Jedi Path," Anakin said, pulling out the book from his pocket. Ami's hand went to her own. She's last had that in her pocket. How Anakin had gotten it she did not know, but she supposed it didn't really matter. Nor did she really care. "Having emotions, loving is not our problem. Do you want to save Ben Solo?"

"Yes." There was no other answer to that question. The answer would always be the same.

Anakin smiled and held out his left hand for her. "Then we have much work to do, Young Knight, to make you a Jedi Master."

Ami looked up at her grandfather and felt another small warmth within her start to grow. This was also burned, but smoothly, calmingly. It made her eyes soften, and the corners of her mouth turn upright. It was hope.

Ami took his hand.

"Then let's begin."


"I've never claimed to know how the Force operates, or why, but I'm very grateful for Anakin for everything that he's done for me," Adali said. "I honestly don't know what I would've done had he not appeared to me that evening. He found my Jedi's Path book, and my lightsaber with me, as well as took me safely to Naboo where we trained for a long whilte. That's where Rabek Mech is, the man that fitted and programmed my prosthetic. Apparently, his grandfather fitted Anakin for his.

"Believe it or not, we see eye-to-eye on a lot of things," Adali said. "The way he describes his rationale for turning to the dark side is perplexing, but he came to his senses. Clearly, with Luke, and with all this time spent with the Old Masters, and within the Force itself. He's still much more of a Grey Jedi, but so am I."

"Your father was a lot like that too," Leia said sadly. "The rules of attachment weren't something he thought needed to be strictly followed like the original Jedi Council. He often said that he didn't know what he would've done had he never had me and Han, and especially Odalla and you. He loved you two so very much."

"I know," Adali said, nodding her head. "I know. He did his best. And his best was always more than enough for me. I was just so happy to have him whenever I could as a dad, and as a Master."

"He'd be so very proud of the beautiful, strong young woman you've become," Leia said. She raised her hands and moved it to caress Adali's cheek, to which she leaned into to nuzzle and absorb Leia's loving warmth. "I am so proud of the woman before me. It's so good to have you back, dear."

"It's good to be with family again," Adali agreed. "Anakin is lovely and all, but he sure is a hardass master, and he gets extremely protective, like I'm his little sister rather than his granddaughter. Then again, he does appear to be around my age. Being a Force Ghost seems oh so complicated."

"I'm sure it is," Leia said. "Luke always spoke so highly of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, but he did say that they were much like you described my father. But I'm glad you weren't alone. I'm glad you had someone to talk to about everything you were feeling, and what you went though. He seems to have been the perfect pairing for you."

"He told me a lot about Padmé," Adali added. "He talked about their love, their time together, and all the pain they'd been through. There's a lot I know he'd want me to tell you, that is, if you're up for it."

"We have much more to discuss, sweetheart, but perhaps we should leave that for another time," Leia said. "It's been a taxing day for us both, and I know I could use some much needed rest."

Adali nodded, and gave her aunt a soft smile. She stood, helping her aunt up though she most certainly did not need the assistance, and carefully placed a loving kiss to her cheek. "I love you, Aunt Leia," Adali said, indulging in their relationship in private while she could.

"And I love you too, sweet little Ami," Leia said, squeezing her hands tightly. "Threepio! You can come in now. I know you've been hiding out in the hall this whole time!"

The door slid open and in walked the golden 3PO-series protocol droid. He was programmed to interact with organics, primarily for etiquette and protocol, though the fact that he was programmed to be fluent in over six million forms of communication put him to use as a translator more times than not. None of the technical descriptions informed anyone on how caring, and outspoken that droid was. Often, he got on other's nerves, but it was simply just part of his personality - something all droids had, as long as you looked for it.

C-3PO had been built by Anakin when he was just a boy still on Tatooine. However, once Anakin started to train to become a Jedi, he placed C-3PO in the care of Padme. Eventually, after Padme's death, his memory as well as R2D2's had been wiped and eventually they ended up in Leia's care.

All is as the force wills it. Sometimes that seemed so obsert, but then when things like the droids finding their way to their previous owners' children's possession, it seemed so very true. It was why reciting the mantra often kept Adali's cool. Some things just couldn't be helped, and if there was a way, then you'd be able to do so. But it shouldn't consume every part of you to fear that which you did not know, or could not do.

"My, aren't you a sight for malfunction optics," C-3PO stated. "Mistress Ami, how lovely it is to have you here with us once more."

"Now, remember, Threepio," Leia began, "Nobody knows about Ami. You must address her as Adali."

"Ah, yes. My apologies, Prin-I mean, General," C-3PO corrected.

If word gets out who I really am, my first bet is Threepio, Adali thought, though a fond smile still playing on the edge of her lips. Though C-3PO had often been with Leia when she was growing up, that didn't mean he wasn't as much a part of the family as she was. He'd always been around to discuss culture with her, something she found so interesting with her love of history. He'd taught her languages she'd never known existed, and though he was rather awkward and intruded into conversations he had no place in being in, it just made him all the more charming and quirky.

"Threepio can show you to your quarters," Leia said. "I took the liberty of giving you your own room. There'll be questions about that floating around, but I saw it best to allow you your own space for meditation and training."

"Thank you," Adali said, grateful for a place to retreat and just be herself. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, dear," Leia said, smiling fondly at her. "I will see you tomorrow."


And there we conclude a lot of the background information for right now. There'll be more to come, but this here was the big stuff.

Thanks to the following for their reviews on the previous chapters:

seasidewriter1 - Yes, up and udated...and replaced three times with my corrections. I know you know what happens before it gets uploaded on here, but you feedback and help in construction this story has been invaluable. I can't tell you this enough.

Jedi Jesla777- I'm so glad they're keeping you drawn in even when there isn't action.