Several minutes later, after politely thanking Tulii and Beru, Owen stepped outside. "He looked off into the distance to see if he could see any sign of a landspeeder approaching. He did not look very hard, for he doubted Mik and Coolie would be back that night.

Soon, he turned his attention from the dessert waste, and a tall flower with white and gold petals caught his eye. He leaned over and inhaled. He closed his eyes and smiled at the fragrance. "You remind me of Beru."

He sighed and continued to talk to the flower as though it were Beru. "I wish I had the words to say what you mean to me. I'm not sure how you'll take this, but there hasn't been a night since we met I didn't dream of being with you. You are so beautiful. When you smile at me, my soul feels… I know this will sound weird… but, it feels like my soul is on fire, yet soothed at the same time… like a parched man in the desert finding an oasis and finally able to drink water. That's what you are to me, Beru," he cupped the flower in one hand, his first and second fingers on either side of the stem, "you are my water."

"I love you, too."

Owen jumped at the quiet voice behind him. "B-beru! I-i…" he sputtered as he turned to her, inadvertently breaking the flower off the stem. "Oh, no! I'm sorry, I…"

Beru smiled serenely as she gently placed a finger on his lips. She caressed his cheek, "It's alright, Owen, it will grow back."

"Um, how much did you hear?" He wondered.

"From when you told the flower it reminded you of me." She confessed with a slight tinge of humor in her voice.

"Oh." He swallowed nervously.

A mischievous glint lit her eyes as her face took on a mock thoughtful expression. "I'm not sure how to take it… that you'd rather speak to the flower than me."

Owen smiled slightly. "Perhaps it's because I know the flower won't tease me."

Beru giggled for a moment.

The small smile was still upon his lips as he reached up and put the blossom in her hair. "There… now I can speak to both of you at the same time." He said in a husky voice as they gazed into each other's eyes. "Beru," he whispered questioningly.

"Yes?" She whispered as well.

"Back at the bar…"

Beru averted her gaze as she backed away from him. "I'd rather forget about what happened there."

"Beru," he took her hand and gently put his other hand under her chin. Turning her head so she looked back up at him, he continued. "The reason I didn't ask you to dance is I can't. I have about as much rhythm as a bantha with its tail caught on fire."

She covered her mouth when she could not keep from giggling. "I'm sorry, but that's quite an image."

He chuckled as he conceded, "Yes, I guess it is, but it's true."

"I doubt that." She smiled up at him.

"Are you calling me a liar?" He raised his eyebrows in feigned offense.

"Never," she whispered. She squeezed his hand, which still held hers. "Maybe, if you don't know how to dance, I can teach you." She stepped closer to him.

"I'd like that."

Beru placed his hand on her waist and reached up to put her hand on his shoulder. "You start out most slow dances like this," she said as she took his hand with her other hand as their eyes locked on each other's.

Owen stepped closer to her and leaned his head down slowly. "I think I'm going to enjoy this lesson."

Beru held her breath in anticipation as she rose on the tip of her toes. Both she and Owen closed their eyes as their lips came closer to touching.

"It would be easier to teach him to dance if there were some music."

"Oh, Dama, must you keep interrupting?" Beru's voice rose in exasperation as she turned toward her sister.

The youngest of the Whitesun girls pouted as she said defensively, "You don't have to kill the messenger! Daddy sent me out to tell you he's turning on the shields now." With that, she turned to go back inside, mumbling something neither Beru nor Owen could quite catch.

Regretting talking to Dama the way she did, Beru sighed before calling after her sister. "I'm sorry, Dama!" Her shoulders slumped slightly when there was no reply.

Owen placed a hand on Beru's shoulder to comfort her. He tried to give her an encouraging smile when she looked up at him and spoke quietly. "She'll forgive you." Beru looked so sorrowful, he could not help but kiss her on the forehead as he embraced her. "Come on, let's go inside."

Beru returned Owen's embrace, relishing having his strong arms around her. "Ok," she looked up at him, "but first things first." She reached behind his head and pulled it down as she went onto the tips of her toes once more, and kissed him full on the lips.

Eyes widening in surprise, it took a moment for Owen to respond. When he did, it was with much enthusiasm. His heart beat wildly as exhilaration coursed through his veins.

Seconds later, they pulled away from each other and stared deeply into each other's eyes. "I love you." They said in unison. "I love you, too," they both replied to each other at the same time, and then started laughing.

Owen leaned his head forward to rest against hers with a sigh. "We'd better go inside." He lightly caressed her cheek.

Beru smiled and took his hand as she slowly pulled away. They walked inside together, their fingers entwined.