AN: Thank you so much for the support and your kind words! They really make my day. You guys rock! So so so sorry for the delay, I was stuck in rewriting as always plus there was some kind of an error on the site so I couldn't submit the next chapter for some days. :S Plus some personal problems...also I'm still an emotional mess after The Last Jedi. It hit me really hard, love it so much and I seriously can't wait for the Episode IX!

There will be TLJ spoilers later on, but mostly I have my own answers that fits into this story (much lighter and even funny ones - Naughty nephew/padawan route! So far from canon...), especially in regards to Ben and Luke...though after the TLJ a lot of their interaction carries so much more weight now...

So here is way more angsty, but also fluffy uncle-nephew/ master-padawan time...or little Ben vs. Luke...I love them all so much! This dysfunctional family... :) They all desperately need a hug! Rey included, who only wants a family...

Next chapter will not be too far behind - double chapter!


Chapter twenty four: A lesson in lying...and stealing

The endless rain tapped down on the roof of the academy like a crazy step dancer in Jabba's palace and for a long while was the only sound inside his uncle's office.

"You are dismissed," said his uncle in an authoritative voice, as if he was the one who had summoned Ben to his meeting, instead of Ben being the one who barged in on him and interrupted him working and kept him endlessly awake. "You may leave now," Luke added a bit desperately, as if his nephew hadn't understood him before since he didn't move from his seat.

"Ben, did you fall asleep? With your eyes open? Or are you just sulking?" His uncle looked worried over his desk at little Ben where he sat unmoving, like a statue, in his seat, opposite from him. Ben's hands were clasped tightly over the pen and the book he was supposed to write the punishment essay in.

"Ben, are you okay?"


No. I don't know what is happening anymore...why are we still here? What's point? I just want to go home...

KR: Nothing has changed then...

It's a simple wish...

KR: Yet not simple to get fulfilled.

Why not...?

KR: You know why...if not you are even dumber than I thought...

Hmm...

KR: Sigh, never mind, one question, you once said it was always sunny weather in the academy, but I have only seen rain in these memories...and dream...it's just for dramatic purpose or did it really rain that much?

Erm...always sunny was a bit of exaggeration or...I must have misremembered...maybe it was always raining...or often...

KR: You don't remember anything do you? Are you a goldfish?

Hey! It was long time ago so of course I only remember just bits and pieces...seeing it all play out like this...is strange...

KR: Strange indeed...now be quiet and allow the little you to speak to your uncle, so we can finish this...

You want me to listen...speak to Luke...? Who are you?

KR: Shush! Your former master is waiting, show some respect.

You want me to show respect...to him...? I thought you were going to kill him?


"Ben, what's wrong? Whatever it is, can't it wait until tomorrow? Please..." pleaded his uncle who seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes open and his head kept drooping down on the wooden surface of his desk.


KR: Are you telling me you don't talk to people before killing them? That's just plain rude! Who raised you! So barbaric! Grandfather always let his enemies speak...well if they had anything to say except cry out it in fear, before killing them...

Oh, yeah, it seemed to me you were about to kill Lor San Tekka in the middle of his...lecture.

KR: No, he was finished, so I had done my waiting. But you had to ruin what would've been the most perfect kill! Had I only managed to kill him, you would never have awakened!

I doubt that.


"Ben...? My child...? Are you stuck inside your head again...?"


Yes...and I'm not your child!

KR: But you are a child. Like tell me, how would you have explained to your mother you had killed her old time friend...? She would've have been so angry with you...even more than she is today...and she's going to execute you...

She not going to do that...not literally anyway...shut up! I'm listening to Luke! Like you told me to...stupid!

KR: You never show any respect for me...what's so ever...always so rude...no respect...


"Aww, come on kid. I was just joking. You are allowed to talk...just not now. Please. Come back, kid."

When there was still no answer or a single movement from Ben, his uncle first made sure his nephew was still breathing by putting his own hand in front of his mouth, before sighing, standing up and looking out the rainy window behind his desk.

Every time Ben disappeared into his head like that, his uncle, without fail, had him just mope in peace, which was the complete opposite of his parents who always grew extremely frightened and did everything to get him back. Which often had let to Ben getting his most ridiculous commands fulfilled, until his uncle advised his parents to stop reward this "bad" behavior with attention, as he was only sulking and not doing anything dangerous or so his uncle thought. The truth was that more often than not, Ben was getting strength from the darkside, when he couldn't cope with something that was happening. It was hard to tell if that was the case now, however, just as Luke knew the best way to deal with him, Ben knew how his uncle would react to his temporary withdrawal, and as soon as his uncle turned his back on him, Ben started snooping around his desk, by using the force.

He carefully opened the desk drawers, nearly soundlessly and the frantic rain outside certainly helped mask the searching sound. Thankfully, his force sensitive uncle was too tired to sense anything or even if he did sense something, didn't seem to pay it much mind as it wasn't any danger.


KR: What in the Jedi are you looking for...?

I don't remember...maybe that's the answer I'm looking for...why we are still here...and why I even went to his office in the first place...instead of just going to sleep...like a good little boy...

KR: You don't sneak around like that, it's rude. Why don't you just ask him to give whatever you want?

Oh, yeah? Would you do that?

KR: Of course...but if that doesn't work, there is always torture...

Of course there is...

KR: I would have just asked him but he went into hiding from me...

What do you need from him?

KR: His life.

Okay, that's way too creepy.


"Hopefully it will stop raining tomorrow, then you can wash the robes outside under the sun. Have a fun little outing. Ah, you are back." His uncle turned away from the window and smiled at Ben, who in nick of time, managed to make it look like he hadn't just been rummaging through his uncle's desk with the force. The only evidence of that search, was a comm-link that had appeared on the desk, too far away from Ben to just reach over and grab it.


A comm-link? That was what I was looking for...? What for?

KR: Hmm...


"Sounds boring..." Ben pouted both over imagining that as well as the fact that he was so close to get what he wanted. He got off his chair still holding onto the book and pen, as he tried to get closer to the comm-link without his uncle finding out.

Even though his uncle seemed to be oblivious to him going through his desk, he still glowered at him for his choice of words. "It's a punishment, it's not supposed to be fun."

"Nothing is..." muttered Ben under is breath, as he put the book and pen down on top of the comm-link too both free his hands and hide the comm and he slowly hooked under his hands under the book to pick the comm-link up, without being seen.

He froze in mid reach when his uncle suddenly grabbed him as if he was on to his plan.

Thankfully, his uncle only had him sit on top of his desk, which was an annoying thing he often did if he really wanted to grab his nephew's attention and he scolded him:"If you would behave, things would be much more fun. Trust me. Now sit there and think about that truth for a while. Stop trying to ruin the academy, go to sleep when I tell you and stop worrying, trust me to protect you and stop being a naughty little padawan. Can you do that?"


KR: You will just be BIG naughty padawan then...

You found a loophole in his lecture...

KR: Yebb, a glaring one...except you never stopped being a naughty little padawan either, so nothing changed really...

Oh...you have a point...


"Yes...master." Ben, who always hated being put on the cold desk like that as a punishment, as it made him feel like a naughty toddler which was probably why his uncle did it, blushed being lectured like that, but at the same time couldn't help staring at the comm-link hidden under the book and pen, that was suddenly beside him. Now the only problem was getting it, without his uncle seeing him do it.

"Are you going to behave now? My little padawan?" His uncle pinched his cheek for a good measure.

"Yes, master..."

"I knew you would." His uncle smiled happy as if he is at last getting through to his stubborn pupil, patted his head and took the book and pen from Ben arms before he could stop him. "Now, let's put these in your bag..." His voice trailed of and his uncle furrowed his brows in confusion when he noticed comm-link land on his desk with a thud.

"Was that comm-link always there...?" Luke looked between the link and his nephew, who quickly turned away, even though the gig was already up. "Ben, do you know anything about this...?" He put the book and pen in Ben's bag.

"No..." muttered Ben into his lap and cursed internally over his failed plan.


KR: Don't lie. He's on to you. You will only make it worse.

You of all people have no right to lecture me!


"Are you sure?" pressed his uncle. "Look at me."

"Yes," responded Ben without meeting his eyes.

"I said look at me." He lifted his chin up so he had no other choice then to obey him.

"You better not be lying to me," said his uncle threateningly like otherwise he had his mother on speed dial and he pointed at the comm-link by his side, as if he was thinking of using it.

"I'm not," replies Ben.

"You know people get hurt if you lie," said his uncle in his most serious teacher-uncle voice.


KR: That's rich coming from someone who didn't tell us the Vader was our grandfather!

And he's right...people did get hurt because of that lie...

KR: And another...

What lie...? Uncle lied about something else...?

KR: Your whole life is a lie.

Sigh...I'm not listening to you...

KR: And you will regret that...


"Can I get this comm-link?" Ben pointed innocently at the comm without even acknowledging his uncle's lecture.

"No...what do you want it for?" His uncle paused as he came to some kind of realization and furrowed his brows in worry. "Do you think you need this to contact me in case the little knights of Ren try something? Ben, you know you can just send me a distress call through the force and I will immediately come to your aid..." He gave him an encouraging smile, but Ben's next words wiped the smile off his face.

"I want to call dad."

What's wrong with little me...? It was just a stupid dream. He's never going to come for real and bring me home, why can't I just give up?


KR: Yeah and go back to the darkside.

That's not what I meant...


"Your father...? To do what? You want him to protect you from the little knights? He doesn't even know how to use a lightsaber. He doesn't have the force," scoffed his uncle.


Is he mocking my father? I thought they were best friends...

KR: Jealousy.

What reason would Luke have to be jealous of my...none forcesentive...but somewhat cool...idiot father...?

KR: He has your mother...

STOP SHIPPING MY MOTHER WITH LUKE!

KR: And you.

Me...are you shipping me...with...blergh...I knew you were evil but this...!

KR: NO! You know what I mean. What Luke wants.

No I don't.

KR: Then it will become painfully obvious...

You know nothing...

KR: Oh...do I...?


His uncle grew flustered as the weight of his words just hit him and he quickly corrected himself. "Erm...I didn't mean that your father isn't great...it's not his fault he isn't forcesensetive. No, what I meant is that he can't protect you from those who are... or have lightsabers. Not even little kids. That's why you were sent here...to protect you from those things. I can protect you." He patted his head, but as Ben was in no mood for petting he batted his hand away and grumbled.

"I don't care. I just remembered something and I need to tell dad something important..." said Ben with a mysterious expression.


Important...? Dad...? What could that be?

KR: Probably something stupid.

But why dad...? Of all people...?


"What's that?" His uncle looked like he was all ears, but Ben shook his head.

"It's a secret."

"Then it can't be that important," pointed his uncle out.

"It's very important!"

"Then tell me," pleaded his uncle.

"No."

"Ben..."

"It's just between me and dad, okay. But also want him to bring me home. I will protect myself from the things he can't."

His uncle huffed and gave him a one armed hug. No you can't. You are safe here. And home...what home? They are never home. But I'm here with you..."

Ben pushed him away. "I don't care. I want to go home." He folded his arms and put up his most stubborn expression.

His uncle sighed when he saw he wouldn't budge. "Ben, you know you can't do that..."

"Why not?"
"Because I said so..." His uncle frowned at him.

"Dad said I could call any time I want and go home whenever I wanted."

"Well, that is wrong."


Yeah, when did dad ever say that? It was just a stupid dream.

KR: You are stupid..

What?

KR: Nothing.


"Why couldn't dad just bring me home yesterday? What did you say to him? I told you not say anything stupid!" yells Ben and pushes his uncle, who doesn't move a inch.

"I didn't say anything stupid to him..."


What is he leaving unsaid?

KR: That he never came to get you...so stupid...

Stop calling me stupid!


"Yes, you did! I want to go home!" shouts Ben and jumps on the desk. "You suck!"

His uncle grabs him and forces him to sit down again. "Don't you dare raise your voice at me. Did you try to steal this...?" Luke gives him his most intense Jedi stare to get him to confess to his crimes.

"No..."


KR: Nice, you didn't break down under interrogation!

I guess...

KR: And you are not even wearing a helmet!

I need to wear a helmet?

KR: It helps...then no one can see your puppy eyes...

I'm not a puppy...I mean I don't have puppy eyes!


"Let me rephrase that, did you steal this so you could call your father and ask him to take you home, despite me telling you over and over, that it's impossible...?" His uncle glared harder at him and Ben's barrier started to crumble a little under his intense stare.

"Erm...what was the question again...?"

His uncle's eyes softened a little when he saw how frightened Ben was. "Did you steal this?"

"No, it is on your desk," answered Ben snidely and his uncle's eyes hardened again over that flippant remark.

"Did you use the force to lift this out of my drawer and put it on this desk...?" continued his uncle his interrogation.

"Is that called stealing?" asked Ben innocently.

"Yes."

"Then I didn't do it."


KR: Wow, you are acting like a real politician there...your mom would be proud...

Shut up...


"Ben Skywalker!" thundered his uncle.

"I'm not...!"

His uncle puts a finger on his mouth. "Sush, I don't care. I only care about this." He points at the comm-link.

"Can I get dad's number?" asked Ben in the hope of diverting the attention from the fact he...might have stolen the comm.
"I said no!"

"Why not?"

"You know why, " said his uncle in warning voice that he was bringing this up again.

"No."

His uncle closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself down.

Ben quickly stole the comm-link from his desk and put it into his pocket.


KR: That was naughty. He will know you stole it...and then you will be in so much trouble!

You don't get to lecture me about morals...

KR: I never steal.

No, you just kill...and torture people.

KR: But I never take their belongings.

You were going to steal the map...

KR: The map belongs to the First Order!

What about our saber, you said you stole it from uncle's office.

KR: That saber belongs to me!

Really...? That's your answer to everything...but why did I take the comm-link? What for...?


Ben jumped of the desk to get away from the interrogation. "Please, can I get his number. I'm not going to call him now...I just want his number...It's not like I have a comm-link..."


KR: Liar.

Weird. Why do I think uncle has it...? Wait...am I going to try and call dad...?! With a stolen comm-link?! I would have gotten in so much trouble!

KR: You should've have tried to torture him...your uncle I mean...

What!

KR: Just saying, then this would've gone a lot faster...


"You can't get it now," replied his uncle considerably calmer.
"Why?"


Because he doesn't have it, stupid mini-me. Give up already...and give him back the comm-link before he finds out we stole from him...

KR: Looks like he already noticed...

Oh no!


"You know why...Ben, where is the comm-link?" His uncle grabbed him before he managed to run out the door with his catch.

"What comm-link?"
"The one I left on my desk," replied his uncle through clenched teeth and Ben knew better than to test his luck, when he was in that mood.

"Oh...it must have fallen on the floor...yes here it is..." Ben returned the comm-link on the table and hit it once. "Bad comm-link."

"Don't do this again," said his uncle sternly.

"Do what?" Ben shrugged.

"Just go to sleep, Ben." His uncle patted his shoulder, all fight gone out of him. He handed him his bag before he flung himself onto the sofa beside the desk. "Good night."

As soon as his uncle went to sleep, Ben stealthily tried to take the com of the desk.

"Don't even try that," muttered his uncle like he suddenly had eyes in the back of his neck.

"Try what?"


KR: Why didn't you try to take the saber instead?

And how was I supposed to do that without uncle noticing?

KR: You could've killed him...with the saber...

Yeah...right...do you have any idea how mad mom would've have been had I done that...or dad? Or well...I wouldn't have liked that either...

KR: Doesn't matter, you did it later...take the saber I mean. You haven't killed him yet...

What? Oh, you mean when I turned...I stole the saber back then?

KR: Yes, but also in this memory...

Huh? How?

KR: You will...find out...


His uncle sat up stiffly, used the force to take the comm and pocketed it. "Please go to your room. We will discuss your...extremely bad behaviour...tomorrow." He gave Ben his most fearsome scowl which made Ben gulp.


KR: You are in so much trouble!

You are enjoying this...?

KR: A little...


Next up: Careless actions and whisper of darkness...