Author's Notes:

I don't own Star Wars. Disney/Lucasfilm does.

I will always, always be grateful to George Lucas for creating such an amazing galaxy and sharing it with us even when it occasionally became a bit awkward or rough.

Midiclorian Alert: I know that many, many fans were bothered by the idea of midiclorians in the prequels. Honestly, they didn't bother me.

This will be the only time I do any kind of major reference to them. Just skim past the first part of this chapter and it shouldn't come up much in the future other than passing references.


"All right, boys, you may now remove the scar of remembrance," Ryoo Naberrie told her sons.

Huwae and Lanu scrubbed the red mark from their lower lip much harder than necessary. The other family members in the room laughed at their enthusiasm. "Honestly, Son," Sulle said, "it's just a dab of lip color. You act as if it were poison."

Luke strolled into the room wiping the line of red that divided his lower lip. "I've got the sample collector," He announced.

"Artoo," Luke called back over his shoulder, "are you coming?"

A few trills and Threepio answered, "He is coming Master Luke. "He is most excited."

Luke grinned at the boys, both siting straight and alert.

"He's not the only one."

Artoo rolled in warbling happily.

"Oh, yes, Artoo, I do agree it was lucky that the blood analysis for midichlorians was downloaded to your systems long ago."

"We all agree with that," said Luke, smiling as he pulled a chair to face the boys.

"Here's the data pad and cable," Pooja said, passing Luke the tools that would convert Artoo's analysis to a readable format for the whole family to see.

Luke placed the pad down on the table and tapped a few symbols then pressed some small buttons along it's white metallic frame.

"Okay, guys it's on projection mode. When your sample is loaded, a blue dome will appear above the screen with a few smaller domed off regions inside, each representing ranges between 1 to 20,000."

"So what's the number you're looking for?" Sulle asked, pulling a chair just behind and between his boys.

Luke snapped the data cable into a socket on Artoo's side.

"Between 7,000 and 20,000," Luke explained. "Master Yoda topped out the list at 19,000. Until my father came along, anyway."

"How high was his count?" asked Pooja, walking into the room followed by Jobal and Ruwee.

"He was an odd case apparently," Luke explained. "He was off the charts."

"Over 20,000?" asked Ruwee.

"27,000," Luke confirmed. "Artoo told me no one could figure out how that happened."

"No wonder he was so powerful in the holovids that the new gossip holocasts keep digging up," Pooja observed.

"No," corrected Luke as he powered up the blood sampler's sterilization routine. "As near as I can tell they just show how much potential a person has. It's like having a high intelligence level in school tests. It shows you how well you can achieve if you work with what you have."

"Kind of like the 'live up to your potential' speech Dad and Mom are always giving us?" Huwae said, grinning impishly at Ryoo Naberrie.

"Exactly," said Luke with a chuckle.

"Remember, Boys," Jobal said, "This is just for fun, more than likely…"

"We won't have the numbers," Lanu said. "I know, Gram."

Luke looked up from the blue glow of the ready screen to his young cousins. "Let's start with a test, guys?"

Luke held the sampler to one of his flesh and blood fingers and pressed the activation button. Clicking, Luke pulled it away with a grimace and pressed the read bead of blood in the lit scanner circle on the reader.

"Sending the data now," Luke said, pressing a few lit symbols on the finger length tool.

A few whistles and warbles later and 3 D chart like an inverted dome, divided sections appeared with a golden arch over the top of the chart entirely.

"Artoo says you are above the normal range as well, Master Luke, at 22,774."

"I could have told you the kid wasn't normal," Han said, sauntering into the room, Leia held close to his side.

"That's amazing!" Lanu enthused.

"So freaking wizard!" Huwae exclaimed.

"Okay," Luke said, activating the sterilization system. "Who's first?"

"The oldest," Ryoo cut in. "Before you two decide to get in an argument, and we cancel this before it starts."

Seeing the stern look on their mother's face, both boys nodded.

Huwae reached out his hand and grinned as Luke pressed the sampler to his finger. "Ow," he yelped with a wince as the pop of needle piercing his skin broke the expectant silence in the room.

"The results will be up in." Luke stopped, seeing the screen activate, "Well now." Luke leaned forward eyes narrowed and mouth falling open a bit.

"What am I seeing Luke?" Asked Ryoo, gripping Huwae's shoulder firmly.

"I'm in between the middle blue arches, is that good?" Huwae asked.

"11,328. Well in range. Wow…" Luke trailed off wondering if this could be a reason he was led to Naboo.

Huwae whooped in excitement. "That means when I'm old enough you'll train me?" he plead.

"If you still want to be trained when you're old enough, we'll talk," Luke said. He turned to Lanu.

"Your turn."

The dining room, now full with a quiet audience, anticipation in the air, waited as Lanu's results lit up.

"Yes," he shouted seeing himself in the Jedi range.

"What's the reading?" asked Jobal, now sitting, her face pale. "12,053."

"Are you sure your readings are accurate?" asked Darred as he gazed with a mixture of worry and pride at his grandsons.

"I can try on some others to see if there's a glitch in the program."

"Test me," Sulle said. "I doubt I have a drop of potential in the Force."

"4,353, Sulle," Luke announced after repeating the testing procedure. "Normal and not Jedi potential level if what I've learned so far is correct."

"Well they obviously didn't get it from me," he said.

"Check Mom," suggested Lanu.
Luke shrugged up at Ryoo.

"If you want to?"

Ryoo shrugged back. "Why not."

A few moment's later both boys were sitting slack jawed. "13,032? Really, Mom?"

"That has to be wrong." Ryoo said, staring at the results.

"Test Aunt Pooja," suggested Lanu. "They're sisters."

"Pooj?" asked Luke. Everyone but Pooja chuckled as she glared at Luke.

"If you don't call me Pooj for the rest of the day," she bargained, circling to Luke's side and offering her finger for testing.

"Deal," Luke agreed. A pop sounded and a few moments later, her results flashed up.

"5,000," Luke announced. "Well within average non Force sensitive range. Looks like the test is working fine," Luke commented.

Grinning around at his family, Luke added. "It looks like the Force runs strong in more than just the Skywalker side of my family.

"You've gotta teach us something, Luke, please," Huwae begged. "Please, just one little thing."

As Luke looked at the boys, a vision of them wearing Jedi robes and swinging sabers in battle formed before him. The vision cleared, carrying a sense of certainty, before fading. He shook his head to clear his mind of the vision and then looked up to Ryoo and Sulle. "If your parents say it's all right, I can teach you the basics of Jedi meditation."

"Mediataion?" asked Sulle, eyebrows raised, a corner of his mouth turned up. "As in they sit still and quiet for a long period of time?"

Luke, winking, nodded with a grin.

Ryoo broke into giggles and soon everyone else around the room was laughing. "If you can do that with these two boys, you truly are a Jedi Master."

"Can we, Mom?" asked Lanu, undeterred.

"I'd actually love to see it," she chuckled, kissing her youngest son on his forehead.

Both boys whooped in delight and rushed the door.

"Are you coming?" Huwae said, grinning back at Luke.

"Go grab some towels," Luke directed. "We'll meditate on the lake shore."


The family settled around the table looking at Ryoo's results still displayed.

"Ow," yelped Han, "Didn't expect that to sting so much."

Leia looked at him, eyebrows raised.

"What? I was curious," He winked at Leia. A flash and a few moments later a reading popped up on the screen.

"3,532? He said, leaning back and grinned. "Low number, yeah, but I must be maxing out my potential."

He offered it to Leia. "Wanna check?"

She shook her head. "Not a chance. I'm a politician not a Jedi."

"I'm glad you said that," Ryoo said, sounding relieved. "When I saw my number. Well I panicked thinking I'd have to become something else there for a minute."

"It's only a measure. It's not a mandate," Leia said, smiling at her cousin. She truly believed this for her cousin. She almost believed it for herself.


Leia wandered the quiet house. It was well past three in the morning, and sleep still evaded her. Leia, seeing the data pad on the table, stopped.

Artoo wandered in behind her beeping and chirruping. "Ah, Mistress Leia, Artoo, and I as well, are wondering if you would like a glass of warm shaak milk. It's known to help humans when they are unable to sleep. I would be most happy to prepare it for you."

"No, but thank you, Threepio."

"It is my pleasure, Mistress Leia," Threepio said as the two droids headed back to the main living areas, Leia quietly called, "Artoo?"

Artoo rolled back in the dining area a questioning beep.

Leia picked up the scanner and powered up the pad. "I have a question you can answer for me."


Leia stared out the window, looking at the waves rippling on the lake, her mind not here with her Grandmother, Aunt Sola and Cousin Ryoo as they pinned and adjusted the smooth green fabric of her wedding gown. No her mind was on a reading. Threepio had been so happy for her, saying she had even a higher count that Master Luke, but that only made her feel worse. "Measure not a mandate," she muttered to herself.

"What was that dear?" asked Jobal, adjusting the measurement probe before sending it to direct lines for the stays they were placing along the hem of her dress.

"Nothing important," Leia said.

"Where's, Pooja?" asked Ryoo.

"Luke and Han talked her into going swimming with the boys and Julee. They guilted her into by saying Julee needed girl time with her aunt."

"And then Darred and Sulle snuck out and stole Julee from her, so she was suddenly alone, in her swimsuit and wrap talking with Panaka," Jobal chuckled.

Leia and Ryoo laughed.

"That was pretty impressive for Han and Luke," Leia finally said, as Jobal began shining the sealer on the pins and stays. They elongated and becoming supple, both sealing and severing the excess fabric from the newly created dress.

"I think so," Jobal said.

"Of course you would, Mother," Sola said. "It was your idea."

"Well, he's a fine man, and I'm greedy. I want as many younglings as possible racing around this place. That's what we hoped for when Ruwee designed this home," Jobal said, motioning to the warm walls around them.

"And we're done," Sola said, turning Leia by her shoulders to see her wedding gown. It flowed from her shoulders like a green waterfall, the bodice smoothly skimming her curves, her sleeves falling to the floor and opening on the sides to reveal the jeweled bracelets from her mother's vast collection. A matching collar of those same jewels circled her neck, and a string of them was braided into her hair which hung from the top of her head to fall, skimming the bare back of her gown.

"This so beautiful," Leia said her eyes bright.

"It only brings out how beautiful you already are." Jobal said, hugging Leia. Sola and Ryoo smiled and nodded their agreement as Leia turned to look at the dress from a different angle.

"I love this, dress. It's perfect." Leia said, hugging her aunt then her cousin.

"We altered another dress you can change into from your mother's wardrobe," Jobal said and headed to retrieve it when Threepio met her at the door.

"Oh my, pardon me, Mistress Jobal."

"No pardon needed, Threepio," come in.

"Mistress Leia?"

"Yes Threepio?"

"You have a call on the secure transmitter Queen Setalla sent with our delegation before we left."

"Thank you, Threepio, I'll take it downstairs in the study."

"I shall set it up for you there immediately."

Leia reluctantly turned from the mirror.

"You know he seems like a perfectly fine protocol droid," commented Ryoo. "I don't know why Han gives him such a hard time."

Leia chuckled. "Spend more time around him and you'll see."


Leia walked in to the study and activated the transmission.

"Hello, Princess Leia," Mon began, then stopped. "Is there something you wish to tell me?" her holographic form motioning to Leia's dress.

Leia smiled sheepishly. "Han and I plan having a quiet ceremony here before we leave. We know settling down isn't going to happen in the near future, and we don't want to wait."

"Congratulations, then. I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"No. We just finished the fittings. Pooja's family has been very welcoming and practically planned the entire wedding for us."

"That is very kind of them," Mon observed, smiling.

"They are kind people. Mon, do you know anything more about the attack?"

"Rumors, but our sources can not pin down anything at the moment, and our military maneuvers are not yet having the success we would like, so we have had to focus our resources there."

"We have, however, further reinforced Naboo's communications abilities and have sent some of our more specialized transmitting tools to keep the actions on the Naboo flowing freely for all to see."

"Your actions on this world so far have gathered a great deal of interest, and we want to ensure that the Empire does not find a way to cut news flowing from the Naboo System."

"Luke's one of the main causes of this interest?" Leia guessed, leaning against her grandfather Ruwee's desk.

"Yes," Mon confirmed. "His actions at the Weeping Wall were so similar some of the Clone War era news holos. Since seeing a Jedi's battle acumen once more, the realization that the Jedi are back has caught the imagination of the galaxy."

"Then I suppose the fact that I changed our strategy to have Luke speak on behalf of the Alliance at the next debate will be welcome news to you?"

Mon smiled widely. "I was going suggest such a strategy myself."

"Luke wants to help the Alliance however he can. He wants my help crafting his appeal, but we all think it will be the best if he speaks next," Leia explained.

"We at command agree," Mon continued, her voice low key as though she were discussing planetary weather patterns. "Some friends are active on the surface."

Leia's brows raised upon hearing the code phrase for infiltration agents dispatched to Naboo. "Really, and how are they?"

"Quite busy at the moment, but they will be looking out for you should there be a good time for you to get together and reminisce about old times."

Leia nodded. She was grateful Mon and the Alliance had sent back up in case they needed it. "Do you think they'll have time to meet? Maybe I should invite them to wedding?"

"If you should see them, invite them, by all means. However, they do have much to tend to at the moment. I'm sure, if their other plans fall through, they'll be eager to spend time with you."

"I'll be watching for them."

"Good, and may the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you." Leia said, cutting the transmission and trying not to think about how strongly the Force actually was with her.

Her grandmother met her in the hall, a blue dress in her hand. "We used the measurements we took from your gown to alter this dress of your mother's for you."

"Thanks you," Leia said. Looking at the dress, she glanced back at her grandmother. "It's very…" she trailed off.

"It is a bit daring, but your mother was lovely in it and I'm sure you will be as well."

Leia nodded and followed her grandmother to the bedroom they had transformed into fitting room for much of the morning.


"Han, take a look," Sulle said, elbowing his soon-to-be cousin.

Leia was standing on the wide front entry wearing a blue dress, long skirt fluttering in the breeze, her bare stomach and mostly bare back obscured by as single long braid flowing from a knot of braids at the top of her head like a crown.

Han grinned. Hopping up from his towel, he said, "If Luke and the boys ever get back from their underwater cave explorations, tell them I had some important business to attend to."

Sulle and Ruwee chuckled as Darred continued to build sand palaces with his grand daughter Julee.


Leia looked over the lake thinking over Mon's message. The coded words were clear. Things were coming back to Alliance ears that meant they might need support before this was over. She began to pace.

Han jogged up to her a towel thrown over his shoulder. She smiled and waved, her worries less important as her finance pulled her into his embrace. He pulled back, his hands on her bare waist. "You look incredible. Why don't we find some quiet little corner of the house and spend a little time together?" His eyes were full of desire as he leaned in to kiss her. Leia leaned into the kiss, and, for a moment, forgot the Alliance, forgot the Jedi, forgot the Empire. But as he pulled away and began to guide her into the house, it all flooded back to her.

"Han," she said as they they made their way up the stairs to the more private rooms.

"Hmm," He asked as he began kissing his way down her neck.

Leia pulled away reluctantly. "Mon called."

Han's relaxed mood dissolved like spice in an acid bath.

"What's up?" Leia pulled Han out the main hall to the upper balcony.

Han sat on a chair facing the lake. Before Leia could sit, he grabbed her hand and motioned for her to sit on his lap.

"Han, this is serious."

"If it is, we might as well make finding it out as pleasant as possible."

Leia laughed ruefully, before sitting across Han's knees. He reached and pulled her close. "Better," He said, running one hand up her bare back. "I'm loving this dress."

Leia laughed as she leaned into his side. "Mon sends her congratulations by the way."

"Oh, so you told her?"

"I answered the call in my gown. She figured it out."

"So what's going on?" Han asked.

"Infiltration agents," Leia started as Han began to kiss his way down her neck once more.

He stopped between kisses to murmur, "Spies, you mean," then continued his attentions on her neck.

"They've heard we might need back up," Leia sighed.

Han pulled back a moment. "Glad to know we have some of our people out there. Wonder who they sent?"

Leia shrugged then leaned into Han's embrace as she explained.

"She's secured intergalactic communications as well, but hinted that she'd send whatever resources we needed to keep our negotiations viewable by the wider galaxy."

"Mmm hum," Han said, returning to kissing her neck and working his way up to her jaw.

"Anything else, I need to know," he said, pulling back just a breath away from her lips.

"Only that I love you," Leia whispered, her smile lighting her eyes.

"I know," he smirked back and kissed her. Leia found herself once again in that beautiful space where there was nothing but Han and his love.


"And you're sure the Rebel fools are taking the bait?" Adviser C'nnem asked Jess Rees.

"Yes, the fools seem to expect attacks to come directly at them and seem to be preparing accordingly. However, Representative Sian Baemeck's loyalist followers are splintering if polls taken recently can be believed. The man is beside himself. "

"The man is a short sighted fool. The polls won't matter when we have employed our next stratagem. And if the rebel fools act as we believe they will, it will strip them of much of the gains they have made, as well as punish that disloyal Pooja Naberrie for questioning the Empire."

"You had better play this exactly right. Fallout from your failure at the Weeping Wall has had a greater impact on the upheaval in the galaxy than it should have. See that this action sets right what you have damaged."

"I will, Adviser C'nnem. Just make sure that the communication lines are flowing openly, so all can see exactly what we want them to see."


Luke sat slumped at the warm wooden dining table. He stared at the blank data pad screen, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Is that a new form of mediation?" Jobal teased.

Luke laughed. "No, Gram, I wish it were that productive."

"Leia offered to help you," Jobal reminded him gently.

"I know, but she's been so tense. Spending the afternoon on the lake shore with Han is exactly what she needed."

"Is everything alright? I know she got that call from Mon Mothra."

"It's fine. It was more a precautionary call, "and," Luke said, holding up the data pad. "Affirmation that the Alliance wants a Jedi as their next spokesman."

"Pooja?" called Jobal.

"Yes, Gram," Pooja said, walking in and placing a large bowl of greens on the table.

"I think Luke could use some help with his speech. So far he has a lovely blank screen, but I don't think that will work for what he needs."

Pooja chuckled. "If you'll take over for me. I was helping set the table."

"Of course, Dear." Jobal gently leaned Luke's head back and placed a kiss on his forehead, before leaving.

"You alway get the goofiest grin on your face when Gram shows you affection. If I'm not careful, I'll lose my spot a favorite grandchild."

"You lost that as soon as Luke and Leia showed up," teased Ryoo, placing platters of rolls on the table, "and about time, too."

Pooja chuckled and stuck her tongue out at her sister.

Luke grinned. "It's just so amazing to have family again."

Pooja's smile dimmed a bit. "I forget sometimes. You feel so much like one of us, like you've just been away until now. I forget that you lost a family before us."

Luke smiled sadly, "Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen were good people, and I felt at home with them in a way that I've only ever felt with Leia, and now with all of you. I thought the Empire had taken family and home from me forever that day I left with Ben for Alderaan."

"Ben?" Pooja asked.

"Obi Wan. He went by Ben when he was watching out for me on Tatooine. They were peaceful, you know—law abiding and simple people. Their only crime was buying some second hand droids from Jawas."

"Luke would you consider sharing this story during your speech?"

"Yes," Luke said.

"Good then I think I know where we need to start."


"Mom, Mom!" Lanu and Huwae shouted as they rushed in the house. "You've got to mediate with us."

Luke sat his data pad to the side and leaned in the archway to family room. "We saw something," the boy's said, "There was this light in the center of the lake. And we both saw it."

Luke stared even as Ryoo chuckled and shook her head. "Any number of things can reflect of the surface of the lake, Sons."

"But the skies were cloudy, and we both saw it. It was something more," explained Huwae.

"Where was this light you saw?" asked Luke, joining the boys.

"In the center of the lake. In between the shore and the island. The very center."

"Does that mean anything to you?" asked Ryoo, her brow furrowed.

"I'm not sure. I thought I saw something a few nights back, but it was quick."

"See," said Huwae.

"Come on, Mom. Try it with us? Maybe you can see it too."

"If I try to meditate, I'll likely end up napping." Ryoo shrugged. "I wouldn't say no to a nap."

Luke chuckled. "Lets head to the study. I'll show you there."


Ryoo was sitting on the a bench, looking over the lake as the moons rose above the rippling waters.

Luke walked out and sat beside her. "Are you alright? You were quiet during dinner."

"When I agreed to meditate with the boys, I wasn't expecting to feel anything different, but I sensed something so much bigger than myself. I'm a little dumbfounded at the moment."

"I'm sorry," Luke said, smiling ruefully. "I haven't trained Jedi before, and I thought meditation would be the best way to expose people to the Force without pulling them farther than they would like to go."

"Don't apologize, Luke," Ryoo explained quickly. "It was amazing. I guess that's what seeing color for the first time might be like. I'm grateful for the experience, but I know I can never be a Jedi. I'm a 35 year old mother and teacher. I have a family and a life here. I can't just flit from system to system swinging a lightsaber."

"Of course you can't, and you shouldn't. You've made your life here, Ryoo."

"Measure not a mandate?"

"Huh?" Luke asked.

"That's what Leia called our numbers."

"I like that," Luke grinned. "Leia's numbers are going to be high as well, but she's choosing not to become a Jedi. I'll find the right Padawans when it's time. That's one thing my mediation has confirmed to me again and again since I've been here."

"Will my boys be among those?" she asked, her brow furrowed.

"I think so," Luke admitted. "When I was sampling their blood, I had a vision of them in robes with sabers. It seemed a solid vision."

Ryoo's hands clenched, her knuckles white. "How long?"

"They were much older, Ryoo. I meant what I said. They will have to be old enough to serve on the Queen's Guard before they will fight beside me as Jedi."

"Am I a horrible person that the thought of this terrifies me?"

"No," Luke said. "And the future is never truly certain. What I saw may never happen."

Luke took her hand and squeezed it gently. She smiled up at him "Breathe deeply, and let the fear and worry go," he advised.

"Yes, Master Jedi," she teased but did take his advice.

For a few moments they sat in silence each allowing the Force to fill them, one with the unfettered full flow of a master the other the stumbling stream of a youngling. In the distance, a light glimmered.

"Did you see that?" Ryoo asked, pointing where the light was only a few moments before.

"Yes," Luke said, leaning forward. "I'm not sure what it was, but I got a better sense of it this time. It seems benign whatever it is. Peaceful."

"What do you think it is?"

"There are places where the dark side gathers. Jedi go there to learn how to deny its power. I suppose there could be places where the light side gather in greater strength. If there is a place like that anywhere in the galaxy, it would be here on Naboo."


Author's End Note:

I'm going with the idea that Ryoo kept the Naberrie name. I remember reading somewhere that Darred took Sola Naberrie's name to keep the line going because apparently the Naberrie name was already prominent on Naboo. I am thinking Sulle would do the same thing for Ryoo to give his children the benefit of the Naberrie name.