Bel Iblis breathed a deep sigh of relief. "That is good."

"Thank you so much for helping with the Senex Ambassador."

"Leia. That is the description of Minister of State. Taking over when the Chief of State cannot. The Ambassadors definitely understood once I explained to them. We were able to get a good trade agreement, and a nonaggression pact."

Leia was impressed, she never would have admitted it aloud, but Bel Iblis really was not the best diplomat. "Congratulations." She said, thinking that maybe she should delegate some more diplomatic work to Bel iblis so he could practice.

Bel Iblis smiled. "Thank you. It actually is not much different than tactics on the battlefield. Luke is out of the Bacta?"

"Yes. But he has been put on Bed rest."

Bel Iblis winced. "That must be hard for an active man like Luke. I know I hate bed rest."

"Well, he does not have a choice. Han, I, Lando, Wedge, and others have him on 24-hr watch. We have no desire for him to relapse." Leia said, her voice unconsciously getting firm as she talked about it.

Her voice had gotten hard as she remembered the argument she and Luke had had about it. Luke had tried to wheedle his way into getting to go out exercising, but Leia had put her foot down. "Absolutely not." She had said.

Luke had been all right for the first four hours, but then he had tried to sneak out. Leia had caught him and forced him back to bed before he was out of the room.

A chime rang in the background. "Ah, Fey'la is here." Bel Iblis said, rolling his eyes.

Leia gave him a sympathetic smile. "Just do not let him get to you." She advised, fighting an impulse to tell him to keep Fey'la waiting and to go in herself. "Keep the higher ground so he can't use that against you. Keep your cool."

Garm grimaced. "Easy for you to say."

Leia gave him a good-natured smile. "Organa Solo out."

Leia went back to the main room where Arielle was patiently waiting. "Sorry." Leia said. "That could have had bad repercussions."

Arielle smiled at Leia. "Work never stops."

Leia grimaced. "Especially with my job." Leia had decided that she should befriend this girl who could be her sister-in-law some day.

"Let us recap." Leia said. "Jedi Knight daughter of Kenobi, safeguarding material. In Hiding. Given message from your father that it was time to come home."

"That is correct." Arielle said, deciding that Leia was omitting stuff on purpose.

Leia smiled. "Definitely workable."

Leia wrote some notes for awhile longer, and then put her datapad aside. "All right, politics is done for the day. Let us scrounge up some food. What do you want."

Arielle smiled to herself, correction, let us scrounge up some information about you.

Still, Arielle said "anything edible sounds good right about now."

"I think C-3PO could scrounge up some Baked Atsap." Leia said.

"That sounds amazing." Arielle said. If only it could be without question about my past and what Luke used to mean to me..But it was as if Leia read her mind because she did not ask Arielle about her past in terms of Luke, or anything Arielle had not already mentioned.

About an hour later Leia said. "Well, I am exhausted. I think I will quickly check on Luke and then go to bed."

"Good idea. I think I will do that as well soon." Arielle said, stretching.

Arielle waited until she sensed Leia leaving from Luke's bedside and then she walked to Luke's room. "Good night." She said to Leia.

"Good night." Leia said, giving Arielle a smile. "If you need anything, just come and knock on our doors."

"Thank you."

"Oh, and, the kids may be back up to their mischief making potential so be warned." Leia said as she left. "They should know that you are off limits, but who knows what those kids get up to."

"Thanks for the warning." Arielle said. So that means I should probably keep my room locked when I am not in it.

"Yup." Luke replied out loud.

Arielle gave him a mock glare. "Stop reading my brain, Jedi."

Luke smiled, enjoying getting back into their old routine bantering. "

"So, how are you feeling?" Arielle asked, concerned.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Fine, just feeling a little itchy. I would love to go for a run or something, but my prison wardens won't let me."

Arielle gave Luke a serious and piercing look. "You will listen to your prison wardens, we are not letting you relapse because you can't sit still for a few days."

Luke started to protest, but saw the look on Arielle's face and thought better of it. "Yes ma'am." He said, instead.

"Tell me a story about you in the years that I haven't seen you for." Arielle said, changing the subject.

Luke told the relatively light hearted story of Gavin getting drunk for the first time, and the lecture Biggs gave him.

Both Arielle and Luke were laughing very hard by the end of it as Luke related how Gavin interrupted the most impressive part of Biggs' lecture by belching loudly.

"I am so sorry I missed that." Arielle said, tears of laughter in her eyes.

"Me too." Luke said.

The light moment evaporated as if it never had been. Arielle catching the slight accusatory feeling behind those two words. "Luke." Arielle started, realizing that this issue of why she had left could not wait until Luke was better.

Arielle thought quickly of ways they could delay this. Arielle did not want to strain Luke by talking about such a heavy subject, but she also did not want him to realize she was stalling. Luke had absolutely hated being treated like an invalid, something left over from the training Owen had given him. "Stand up, Luke." Arielle could still hear him bellowing at Luke. "Be a man." And from what she had seen of Luke, that had not changed. Plus, he may think she was stalling for other reasons.

Arielle's dilemma was solved by a coughing fit from Luke. Arielle hurried and handed him tissues and Leia rushed in with water. "No more talking." She scolded Luke.

"Ye-" Luke started, until Leia fixed him with a look.

Luke mumbled something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, Bossy sisters.

"Leia." Han called.

"Coming." Leia called back.

"You." Leia said, pointing at Luke. "No talking. If I hear you talking I will tape your mouth shut."

Luke grumbled but nodded. Satisfied, Leia left after smiling at Arielle. Arielle realized that his was a big step for Leia. Leia was a protective sister who in every other circumstance would have stayed in the room with Luke until Luke fell asleep. But Leia had realized that this had to be Arielle's moment too.

"Here, it is my turn to tell you a story." Arielle said, easing a cushion under Luke's head.

Arielle told Luke about her trip to the Corporate Sector drink bars and just how many more than slightly inebriated men tried to hit on her. She told him about how one guy walked up to her and just fell down.

She didn't tell Luke about having to run from stormtroopers that night because one of the guys turned out to be from Tatooine and told the stormtroopers that he thought she looked like Crazy Ben and having to hide in a dumpster for long heartwrenching hours.

As she ended her story, she saw that he had fallen asleep. She laughed, her gaze tender, as she saw that he was drooling slightly. Ah, Luke, you may now be a Jedi Master, but you are still Farmboy. She thought as she wiped his face, an evil look coming across her face. Oo you would kill me if you saw me do this.

Arielle got up softly, and then seeing that all the lights were off, save the courtesy lights in the hallway went straight to bed.

She noticed something as she did. To get to Luke's room I have to pass Han and Leia's. I wonder if that was on purpose. She suspected that it was. Leia was definitely the inquisitive and…well… nosy type.

As she thought of this, she was tempted to wave at their door to say, see I am going back. No sleeping in his room. Not that anything could have happened even if she had stayed, Luke was too sick. Arielle mentally slapped herself for even letting her thoughts go in that direction.

Arielle went inside her room, and fell asleep right away. She awoke at her usual early waking time just to tell herself that she could afford to sleep late today. But she was awakened half an hour later by what sounded like a bunch of Bantha running. "MY turn." She heard someone squeal.

"No fair, Jaya, you got it first yesterday."

"I am the eldest Jasa, it is only fair."

"Both of you quiet, I am sure Arielle is trying to sleep." Leia said, her voice firm and sleepy.

Arielle chuckled and rubbed her eyes, she had a feeling she should get used to this, being woken at odd hours by rambunctious kids. Especially if you and Luke get married. Arielle frowned at her treacherous mind. But her mind pushes another image of Arielle playing with those kids and the kid, Jaya, calling her Auntie Ari.

Arielle tried to go back to sleep, but she just was not used to sleeping with noise in the hallway. So she got up and got dressed. "The bantha herd wake you?" Leia asked, when Arielle came into the kitchen area, as she offered Arielle a cup of Kaf. "Sorry about that." She said when Arielle nodded. "I will try to keep them quieter in the mornings."

"It is okay." Arielle said, but Leia did not hear her as she had to turn around and break up an argument over who get the red bowl.

"Where is Han." Arielle asked, as she sat down with Leia.

"Still sleeping. I swear, my husband could sleep through anything." Leia said, then she smiled. "No, we take turns sleeping in. There is no point in both of us getting up so early if we do not have to."

She turned to her kids, "Manners?"

"I am Jaina. I am the eldest." A small girl with deep brown eyes and messy long brown hair said sticking out her arm to Arielle."

"It is nice to meet you." Arielle said, solemnly.

"I am Jacen." The little boy said, giving Jaina a withering look, "She is only a bit older. We're twins."

"Anakin is five." Leia said.

"They are darling." Arielle said to Leia, once the kids turned their attention to breakfast again.

"They are a handful." Leia said, though the love in her eyes contradicted her harsh words.

"Let your uncle sleep a bit more." Leia warned the kids as they left the breakfast table. "No going into his room, no yelling. Let your brother sleep as well."

"Anakin is not asleep." Jacen said.

Leia started, there had been a pile of blankets in Anakin's room (the twins shared a room and Anakin's was connected with a connecting door) and she'd assumed he was sleeping. "Where is he, then." She asked.

"Don't know. He woke up real early." Jaina said.

Leia relaxed. "He is probably with Luke then. Let me go get him so he doesn't tire Luke out." She frowned. "Luke had better be sleeping."

Arielle followed Leia to Luke's room. Leia opened the door gently to find Anakin lying on Luke's belly with his thumb in his mouth. Leia giggled at the sight, a wistful look on her face. This is what Leia wanted, a close family. A family tied by the bonds of love and affection. But these moments were too few in her family. Leia pulled up a chair next to Luke.

Arielle sensed that she was intruding on a private moment. She quietly left Luke's room and went to watch the twins. Jacen and Jaina warmed to Arielle and pretty soon Arielle was playing sabertwist with them. A little while later Han came in. "Good morning." He greeted her with a smile. He lifted the lid off of one of the food processors. "Good, Chewie isn't up yet, otherwise there would be nothing left."

"Leia with Luke?" Han asked, as he sat on the table with his food.

"Yeah." Arielle said.

Han counted the kids. "Where is the little one."

"Leia and Luke." Arielle said.

"Good, one less bantha to watch." Han said, joining the fray lifting Jacen up and tickling him, and giving Jaina a piggy-back as she jumped on his back.

Arielle just watched as Han swung Jacen around, until she felt something tugging on her pants. "Spin me." Jaina demanded.

Arielle spun Jaina lightly. "More." Jaina demanded.

"Nope, you just ate." Arielle said, having learned the pain of spinning too much when you are young the hard way. Plus, she observed Han having the same conversation with a pouting Jacen.

Jaina pouted until Arielle said. "But I will read you a story if you want."

"The Tauntaun on Hoth." Jaina demanded.

Arielle vaguely remembered it. "Make it up if you don't know it." Han mouthed to her.

Arielle was surprised as to how well she remembered the story. "There was a little said tauntaun." She began.

Arielle noted that Jacen came and cuddled up to her as she said the story.

Leia came out of Luke's room carrying Anakin just before the story ended. "Bathtime." She said, after Arielle had finished.

Jaina pouted, but Leia lifted an eyebrow and Jaina stopped. "I am turning the water on, and I expect both of you to be in the tub by time it is full." Leia said.

"What about Anakin." Jaina asked sulkily.

"He will get a bath once the two of you are done. You kids are getting bigger and the tub isn't." Leia said.

Leia went into the bathroom. "I would go if I were you." Han advised the twins who had not moved.

Grumbling they went into their room which connected to the bathroom. In just a few minutes they heard loud conversation. "Ah bathtime with the twins." Han said. "You'll get used to it, or else they'll grow out of it or so I am told."

Han's voice was mild, but Arielle could tell he was probing her. "Yeah, well my experience with kids is little, so I guess I will just have to take your word on it."

Han's lips quirked. "Something tells me, you will get a lot of experience in the near future."

"Always teaching us new things life is." Arielle said, quoting Master Yoda, and side stepping the obvious reference. "Experiences are what makes life life."

"Point." Han said, he was starting to enjoy this. He could tell that Arielle was adept at dodging questions, just like her father, and as Han knew all too well old man Kenobi was an expert at dodging questions. "So, what has life taught you?"

"How to dodge questions." Arielle said, laughing a little. "What about yourself."

"That no one is better than Kenobis at dodging unwanted questions… at least until they get so annoyed at being asked all the time."

"So, what is this burning question that you must have answered." Arielle decided to risk.

Han looked surprised, he had expected Arielle to stonewall more. He thought carefully. He was going to make this question count. "How well do you know Luke."

"Very well." Arielle said, "We practically grew up together on Tatooine. We had the same group of friends who all spent all of our free time together."

"But then you left." Han said.

"Tell me a little about yourself." Arielle said, not so subtly drawing the line. This was all she was going to discuss about this issue.

"Well, was sitting in a bar on Mos Eisley trying to figure out how I was going to pay back Jabba the Hutt when my first mate, Chewbacca, tells me that some guy wants to hire the Falcon. This job takes me to the death star where I meet a gorgeous princess, Leia. Before I know it, I am respectable, married, and have 3 kids." Han said, realizing that he would have to give her something as well.

"How do you find that." Arielle asked.

"Ah, my turn." Han said, putting up a finger.

Arielle internally grimaced, here it comes. "Did you ever feel jealous of Luke." Han surprised Arielle by asking.

"What." Arielle yelped, almost rising out of her chair.

"Honesty, please." Han said, his eyes serious for a brief moment. "Come on, your father puts you guys in a crummy spot on a crummy planet so he can watch Luke. From what I gather he must have spent a lot of time looking after Luke. Your father wasn't the fun loving guy you heard about because of Luke's father. That had to be hard."

Arielle shook her head, I knew I was going to regret getting involved in this game. But I did, now I have to take the consequences. But as she thought about it, it really was not that bad. "Yes," she kinda surprised herself by saying, "when I was really young, before I got to know Luke I was very jealous of him. It, do NOT ever tell him this, turned into pity as I gleaned and coaxed some of the story from my father. Then it turned into friendship and then love. As I got to know Luke" Arielle decided to emphasize this, she had figured out how protective Han was of Luke and wanted to make it clear that she loved Luke and the pity and jealousy were things of the past, "I realized that he was worth it. He was worth the Jundland wastes. It was not his fault Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, in fact he is the reason Anakin destroyed Vader. Yes, I know about that. Luke is one of the most amazing people I know, and I am and have been in awe of him. But don't tell him that either, he does not need a big head."

Han laughed. He could tell from the quirk of her smile that she knew there was no chance of that.

"Now I get a heavy question. Do you ever get angry at being in Leia's shadow in the public eye. Playing the role of the consort?"

"That is a heavy question." Han said. "Do I regret marrying Leia? Absolutely not. Do I get annoyed at being labeled the consort all the time, yup, definitely. Angry? Nah, not really. People usually don't say it to my face, and why do I care what others think. If someone accuses me of freeloading I-"

"Han." Leia yelled. "Watch Jacen and Jaina while I bathe Anakin, they are getting antsy and I don't want them getting dirty just yet."

"Just a moment." Han yelled back. "remind them of my service during the rebellion." Han finished, and then got up. "I guess that ends our little game for now."

"I guess it does." Arielle said. "Would you like some help?"

"Nah." Han said. "Hey, later, if you would like I can show you around Coruscant. Probably want to do it while the holo reporters are not following you."

"Didn't Leia say that she thought it would be better if we waited until after she'd officially introduced me."

"To go around really publicly, yeah, then the senators would feel snubbed for some odd reason. But there is nothing stopping us from going out incognito. Later the reporters will be following us so closely it will be close to impossible to chase them."

"Sounds great, if you don't have anything to do." Arielle said, she'd decided that a) she couldn't sit in Luke's room all day long, b) Han was the straightforward kind, so as long as she kept her wits she would not be answering any questions she did not want to.

"Eh, I'd like a chance to get out. The wook has some free time today, so he can watch the kids. Leia has a meeting in the evening." Han said.

"Han." Leia called.

"Gotta go." Han said, half jogging.

Arielle laughed. She sensed Luke was awake so she decided to go sit with him

"Hey." She said coming in. "Hungry?"

"Starving." Luke said.

"That's a good sign." Arielle said. "I'll go grab something."

"Oh, its okay, I'll ask 3PO." Luke said.

Ariellle sighed, today was not her day to avoid questions she did not want to answer. She knew why Luke was acting that way. Arielle smirked internally. She knew how to divert Luke's attention. "So, I met your brother-in-law. You have a nice family here."

Luke's facial expression got soft . "Yeah." He said, wistfully.

Arielle knew that Luke would want her to get along with her brother-in-law and family. "Han is taking me around Coruscant later."

'I wish I could come. Han knows some of the greatest places in Coruscant."

"Soon. Then you can take me around." Arielle said.

"Are you sure you won't leave."

Arielle sighed noisily. "You want to do this now?" Arielle said, her voice starting to rise. "You want to hear it. First of all, Luke, I love you more than life itself. As for me leaving-" The door easing open stopped Arielle. Five-year old Anakin stood in the doorway sparkling clean, dressed in a yellow shirt and white pants. "Lukie?" He asked tentatively.

Luke turned all of his attention to his nephew. Arielle used the opportunity to leave. "Thanks." Arielle said to Han, who was standing outside the door.

Han shrugged. "The kid can be pig-headed sometimes, not unlike you. I just figured that you had a good reason for holdin' off. Shall we set off?"

"What about Luke? The kids?"

"Jacen and Jaina's tutor is here, a reason Leia was rushing their baths. Anakin will be fine with Luke. Leia is doing some work and then she would like to pend some time with Luke. We are covered."

Arielle smiled. "Well then, Captain Solo, I will be dressed in fifteen minutes."

Han gave a patented eye-roll. "I will get a hovercar."

Arielle dressed in a flowered dress she had gotten on Bogo Yaven, and a sash to cover her hair, which, she hoped, would make it easier to blend in the crowd.

Arielle waved goodbye to Leia on her way out.

"Anakin, C3PO is waiting for you." Leia said, seeing that Anakin and Luke were still playing.

"So," Luke said.

"So." Leia asked, teasing her brother.

""Leia!" Luke said, rolling his eyes. "What are you doing about Ari's introduction?"

"I have called a special session of the senate in two weeks, I am hoping you will be able to walk by then. Arielle will introduce herself as Arielle Kenobi, daughter of General Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. We will announce the documents she has brought with her. I have started to prep her for the grilling."

"So has she told you why she had to leave."

Leia sighed. "Why does it matter?"

"Huh?"

"Why does it matter?"
"Of course it matters! I deserve to know."

"Luke, it is obvious that Arielle loves you and you love her. It is obvious that Arielle did not want to leave you. She even tried to convince her father to tell you about… our father. I had to accept this with Han, there are many parts of his past he does not talk about. When we first fell in love… I didn't know if he even loved me. This kept me from accepting his love, the uncertainty. It was at Bespin, and on the way there that I realized it doesn't matter. All that matters is our love."

Luke was quiet, but Leia saw that he was absorbing it.

"Thanks." Luke said, a few minutes later.

"Anytime, little brother." Leia said, patting his shoulder. "Time for a healing trance."

Leia helped ease him into a healing trance, smiling as she felt how close her brother was to healing.

"How was Coruscant?" Leia asked Arielle at dinner.

"Wonderful." Arielle said.

"Where's the kid?" Han asked, Luke had been insisting that they wheel him to the table during dinner.

"Healing trance." Leia said. "I'll ease him out soon, but I think he is getting sick of bed rest and so wants to get better fast."

Arielle got a whiff of amusement and mischief from Leia, but she didn't pursue it.

"Mommy!" Anakin said, his voice scared, running in.

"What is it, love?" Leia asked, concerned.

"Something is wrong with Luke, he isn't responding."

The adults at the table relaxed. "It is okay, love. He is in a healing trance so he wil get better."

"Oh." Anakin said, his sense lightening.

Arielle really wanted to know what the Skywalker twins were up to. Luke spent most of the next two days in a healing trance, and Leia spent most of that time out. When Arielle finally asked Han, Han responded, unhelpfully, with a "you probably don't want to know."

"What if I want to?"
"Trust me, Skywalker plots… you are better off not knowing."

On the third day, Arielle was woken up by two sets of small hands poking her. She woke up to find two sets of earnest brown eyes looking at her. She looked for the third, and found the set of blue eyes was not far behind "Do you love Lukie?" Jaya asked, obviously using

Anakin's term of endearment for Luke.

Arielle blushed, and then thought about how ridiculous it was to blush at the words of four and seven-year olds.

"Yes." She said, honestly.

"No leaving and hurting him?" Anakin asked.

Arielle had a fleeting though that Leia had sent her kids to interrogate her, but then she dismissed that thought.

"I will do my best not to." Arielle said.

The next thing she knew, three children clambered around her.

She appreciated their warmth, especially as Leia came in, dressed in her official robes of state. "There you are."

"I am in my room," Arielle thought, "where else would I be at 0600 hours?"

"Well, we should start prepping for your introduction at 1400."

Arielle sat up. "I thought I had at least a week."

Arielle sensed Leia's slight smirk, "Oh sorry, I didn't tell you. The holoreporters are having a field day with your story, so I figured it was in all of our best interest to do the introductions now."

Arielle started to get nervous.

"No, Ari. In all honesty, I figured that you were prepared enough and telling you too much in advance would just make you nervous."

Arielle was skeptical, she did not know if she would ever be prepared for the grilling she was sure the inner council would deliver, but she decided to trust Leia's experience in this arena.

"All right, children," Leia said, picking up her three kids, "Papa is waiting, hang out with him for the day, all right?"

"I guess." The three chorused, with wide smiles on their face.

Leia kept Arielle so busy that Arielle never had time to even see Luke before Leia herded into a hovercar. "You will be fine." Leia said, stopping outside the inner council chambers and smoothing down Arielle's outfit. "The herald will call you in."

Leia gave Arielle a last smile before heading inside.

Arielle did Jedi calming exercises while waiting. Though it was only five standard minutes, it felt like an hour to Arielle before the twi'lek herald ushered her inside. "Jedi Knight Arielle Kenobi."

"Thank you to Chief of State Organa Solo, Minister of State Bel Iblis, and this august body for taking the time to meet with me. My father, General Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, asked me to safeguard training records and other Jedi materiel."

Arielle was satisfied at the chattering that this statement brought. Arielle looked surreptitiously to Leia and saw a soft smile on her face that indicated that she was also happy at the outcome.

Unfortunately, the awe did not last. "Councilor Fey'la." Leia said, reluctantly, which told Arielle that this Bothan councilor would be trouble.

"Knight Kenobi, if we assume for the moment that you are who you say you are, what are your intentions with Master Skywalker?"
"Master Skywalker and I have been friends for many years."

"Friends?"

"We have considered dating in the past."

"And it is just a coincidence that you came when he was single? When he was about to resurrect the Jedi order."

"Is there a question councilor?" Leia asked, a little snap in her voice.

But before Fey'la could rephrase his question, Arielle began to feel a presence at the edge of her senses. "Forgive me, madam chief of state, councilors. But I felt since most of the questions to Arielle were about me, I should be present." Luke said, appearing dressed in a black flightsuit with a Jedi cloak and a green lightsaber hanging conspicuously from a utility belt.

"Since this involves your brother, Chief of State Organa, I request that you recuse yourself."

Leia rolled her eyes mentally. Arielle sensed this and had to work hard not to smirk. Leia still put Fey'la motion to a vote, only Fey'la's factions and a handful of anti-Jedi councilors voted for her removal.

Arielle felt that Luke's entry was perfectly timed and it turned the tide of the questioning, so most of the questions were soft-balls directed at Luke. Plus, the entire hearing took just another hour.

Arielle followed Luke's example, and stayed in the hall smiling at all the councilors. "How are you feeling." Arielle asked, once the hall was cleared of everyone but her, Leia, and Luke.

"All better, thanks to the patented Jedi healing trances." Luke said.

He surprised Arielle by walking over and taking her hands in his. "Well, I was wondering if you would like to go out for dinner and a night in Coruscant with me." Luke asked.

"I would love to." Arielle said, her heart elating at the idea.

Leia smiled at them. "Have fun, kids."

But Leia stayed for a few minutes, until Luke turned to his sister and said, "thanks."

She rolled her eyes visibly this time before leaving.

"So where are we going?" Arielle asked.

Luke just smiled mysteriously. He escorted Arielle to a waiting hovercar. Again, Ariele followed Luke's example and ignored the holoreporters except to give them a polite smile.

Arielle was glad that she had dressed well for the hearing once they reached their destination, a revolving restaurant. Arielle gasped in awe as she and Luke watched the lights on the restaurant turn on from the car. "That's so pretty." Arielle said.

Luke smiled and gestured to the left of the restaurant. "See how the yellow lights of the restaurant reflect onto the water."

Luke and Arielle stayed their watching the lights for a few minutes. "We had better go or we will lose our reservations. Jedi Master or not, I don't have the patience to wait for an hour for another table."

Arielle chuckled politely and followed Luke into the restaurant. Seeing Luke enter, a human maitre de met them at the door. "Master Skywalker, Knight Kenobi, thank you for picking our restaurant."

"Thank you." Luke said, quietly.

The maitre de personally led them via the backstairs to a private room at the very top of the restaurant. "Oh wow." Arielle said, looking at the view once the maitre de had left.

Luke smiled softly. "I knew you would like it. The water is just so gorgeous."

Typical Tatooinian. Arielle thought to herself.

"Arielle. I am going to get to the point. I love you. I love you more than air, and though there have been many moments at which I was thoroughly angry at you for leaving and at other times angry for not telling me about father, I have always loved you." Luke said. "Leia berated me for pressing you to tell me why you left. I pouted and thought about it and realized what she said was correct. I love you, you love me. You did not leave because you had a choice. I may never accept why you left, but I accept that we need to get beyond that."

"I love you too." Arielle said, reaching out and covering Luke's hands. "I did not have a choice and I came back as soon as I could."

Arielle and Luke stayed talking for two hours. "I know you are probably tired, but would you be up for meeting my friends?"

"I would love to." Arielle said.

Luke smiled. He picked up his comm.. "We'll meet you at Wedge's in half an hour."

Luke got up and made to leave, at Arielle's questioning look he said "They'll bill me. It makes it easier for both parties. The only thing we leave here is tip." Luke gestured to the credits he had left on his table.

Luke and Arielle kissed deeply in the hovercar just before they reached Wedge's apartments. "I think you will like Wedge and Lando. Lando and Han have a weird friendship. Han feels that Lando flirts too much with Leia. Lando is a flirt, don't think too much of it. Wedge is half-dating Iella, and Lando is Lando. They are all very free and friendly people. Everyone else there you have met."

Arielle was half-surprised to see Jaina, Anakin, and Jacen running around. She attributed that to this group of friends being very close. She hadn't really heard of adult friends meeting with children there, especially when the parents can afford droid babysitters or nannies.

"I am glad to meet a beautiful woman such as yourself." A darkskinned man said, coming to her and bowing deeply.

Arielle smiled internally, "Lando Calrissian, I presume."

"Who else would flirt with someone else's date." Han said, sidling up and giving the other man a sour look.

"Who was flirting?" Lando said, smiling to show off his pearly white teeth. "I was being friendly."

"Lando, this is Ari, Arielle Kenobi. Ari, Lando." Luke said, deciding to cut this short.

"Madam Kenobi, this is General Wedge Antilles, commander of the unbeatable Rogue Squadron." Lando said, highlighting a man next to him, "it is his apartment we will be tearing to pieces tonight."

Arielle smiled, Lando's smile and nature was infectious. "It is a pleasure to meet you, General Calrissian."

"The pleasure is all mine."

"A pleasure to meet you, Madam Kenobi."

"You as well, General Antilles."

Leia and Han hugged Arielle.

"Lady Kenobi, pick your poison." Wedge asked, as he carried a glass of Alderaanian Ale to Leia, and Corellian brandy to Han.

"I will stick with the fizzy juice." Arielle said, scrutinizing the drinks Wedge had.

Wedge raised an eyebrow, but served the fizzy juice.

Leia was so good at it that it took twenty minutes for Arielle to realize that Leia had drawn Luke and Ari into separate conversations. Ari actually found herself grateful for this as it allowed her to get to know Luke's friends in a way she would not have if she had stuck by Luke's side.

Ari looked up to make sure that Luke did not mind that she was deep in conversation with Wedge and Lando. The site made her giggle- Luke was sitting in conversation with Han, with the three Solo kids plastered to his side.

It was rather late when Arielle, Luke, and the Solos (each carrying one of the Solo kids) finally stumbled back into the apartment. Arielle barely had the energy to say good night to Luke.

The next day when Arielle finally woke up, in time for the afternoon meal, Luke said, "Good morning, sleepy head."

"Good morning, Wormie." Arielle said, calling Luke by his Tatooinian nickname.

"Wormie." Han pounced, coming in.

Luke winced, and glared at Ari.

"Where did the kid get a name like Wormie?"

"My lips are sealed." Arielle said, making it worse.

"Anyways, Ari, you must have made a real impression last night because Lando decided to outdo Wedge and is throwing a party at his place tonight. Want to go?"
"Sure." Arielle said, pleased at getting a chance to spend more time with Luke's friends.

"Unfortunately, I am going to have to leave you for most of the day as I have some chores that I must do."

"Oh." Ari said, trying to stifle disappointment. Get over yourself. Of course he has work to do!

"Leia was wondering if you would be willing to baby-sit. She didn't want to ask you herself because she did not want you to feel obligated."

"I would love to." Arielle said, sincerely.

"See, I would have been shameless and asked you, which is why she preempted me by getting Luke to ask." Han said, coming in with kaffe. "I have to go fix up The Falcon, she is acting up again."

Han sat with the couple for two minutes, called. "Solo terrors, be good for Arielle or else!" and then left.
Luke left as soon as he could, he did not want Arielle sensing anything off of him.

Luke meandered into the Jewelers, "Hello, Master Skywalker." The receptionist droid said, respectfully.

"Hello. I was wondering if you had any rings with a Tatooinian glass heart synthesized red, with five simulated Alderaanian riverstone around it."

"For you, Jedi Skywalker," a tall blueskinned human woman said, coming out from a backroom, "I can have it ready in three hours. Forgive me the intrusion, but is it for Knight Kenobi."

Before Luke could answer, the woman hurriedly said, "I only ask because then I can use holo technology to make sure the ring fits perfectly."

Luke smiled gently. "Yes it is, and I would appreciate that greatly."

The human bowed. "Then please excuse me so I can get it ready."
"How much will the total cost be?"
"Master Skywalker, it would be my pleasure." Luke saw that the woman had understood the symbolism behind the ring.

When she saw that Luke was about to protest she said, "the advertisement and publicity will be recompense enough."
Luke knew when he would not win a battle so he just bowed deeply and said, "I am indebted Mistress-"

"Tierouni."

Luke started, "Alderaanian?"

Alena Tierouni smiled sadly. "It will be my pleasure to make a ring for the brother of my princess."

Luke bowed deeply, which Alena returned with a curtsey.

Luke was simultaneously glad he had chosen this small jewelers shop for Ari's ring and that he had chosen relatively inexpensive gems.

Though Alderaanian riverstones were among some of the finest gems in the galaxy and the easiest, thankfully, to simulate, the wounds caused by Alderaan's destruction were too raw and few people wanted a reminder on their jewelry.

Luke, and he knew Leia, felt the jewel and Alderaanian crafts were a reminder of the greatness of Alderaan's legacy to this galaxy. It was a reminder of peaceful times.

Luke then actually went to work. He began cataloguing the information that Arielle had brought with her about Jedi practices, training techniques, and how many Jedi hid from the purges.

From the information Luke surmised that Ben had been in the middle of hiding the Jedi. He had been the central point of information for Jedi in hiding. This made his information extremely valuable. It would have taken Luke decades to piece all of this information together on his own.

He was so engrossed in his work that it took a call from Leia to jolt him out of his mindset. "Luke, you are proposing to someone tonight. Please tell me that you have picked up the ring and are cleaning up for tonight? I have picked up appropriate refreshments."

Luke groaned, he knew he should not have told Leia about his plan to propose to Arielle. Leia was taking it way too far.

"Lei, do we really need 'appropriate refreshments."

"You just worry about your end of stuff, Luke Skywalker." Leia snapped.

Luke rolled his eyes, he could just hope that Han could pare down Leia's plans.

Luke went back to Madam Tierouni's shop. "Wow, it is gorgeous. Thank you, mistress Tierouni." Luke said, turning the gold ring, with the sparkling gems in his fingers.

The petite woman smiled, her sense and face exuding gratitude. "It is the gems, the Alderaanian riverstones… even these simulated jewels exude brilliance."

"And wonderful craftsmanship." Luke said, still in awe as to how perfectly the ring turned out.

Tierouni bowed Luke from his shop as more customers came in.

Luke quickly ran to the apartment, the Solos and Arielle had already gone to Lando's apartment. He cleaned up quickly and then ran to Lando's apartment.

"Sorry I am late." Luke said, hugging Arielle. "Got caught up in those files you brought."

Arielle smirked. "Maybe I should have given them to you one at a time."

"Probably," Leia said, giving her brother a look.

Luke smiled and hugged his sister.

Lando served dinner with a great flair. Arielle started to sense anxiety from Luke as dinner began to draw to a close.

She gave him a puzzled look but he ignored it. He took a deep breath. He knelt on one knee. "Ari, I know we have reconnected only when-"

"when she rescued you" Lando heckled

"Yes, when she rescued me." Luke said. "But you and I know that we had been close for a long while before that. I feel like I have known you nearly all my life and I want that to be my lifetime. Oh why am I trying to speechmake? Arielle Kenobi, will you marry me. Will you join me in my quest and in my tasks, and let me join you in yours?"

Arielle's eyes watered as Luke offered her the ring. Arielle examined the ring before she put it on.

"Its beautiful." Arielle said.

"Wait, let me see that." Leia said, before Arielle and Luke completed the ceremony. "Alderaanian craftsmanship?"

Luke nodded. "that was a coincidence. I didn't realize the jeweler was Alderaanian til she told me her name."

Leia's eyes watered but then she determinedly said, "sorry, continue."

Han put an arm around his wife's shoulders, lending him her support.

Luke clasped Arielle's hand, he turned the ring around her finger in a symbolic ritual gesture.

"Engagement gifts." Leia announced, clapping her hands briefly to get people's attention.

Luke exchanged a look of studied patience with Han. Leia led them into the next room which was obviously set up by Leia. In the middle was a cake, surrounded by presents.

"For those of you who are wondering why an elaborate engagement party." Leia said, once everyone, including the Solo kids, had meandered over. "The answer is I am sure my brother, and soon-to-be sister-in-law are going to want a long engagement after my next announcement. I was able to procure funding for the trip Luke wanted to make to the outer rim regions to continue his Jedi search as well as funding for some building projects on Yavin. Sorry it took so long, Luke, but if you got all of the funding you requested quickly then there are those who would start to charge that I was unfairly expediting your requests."

Luke's expression told everyone in the room that this announcement made an awesome evening even better.

"Cake time." Han announced breaking up the moment.

"YAY!!" Jaina shouted, bouncing up and down in her purple pantsuit that Leia had allowed her to wear, so as to keep Jaina happy.

Jaina, Jacen, and even Anakin crowded around the cake, causing the adults to giggle. "Picture for the holovids." Leia announced. "Everyone else out of the picture, let's only give them the proud newly engaged couple."

Leia took a picture of Luke and Arielle cutting the cake. "All right, that's done." Leia said, briskly. "Luke, please begin handing out the cake and I'll check on Winter's shuttle."

Luke took that to mean Leia foresaw the evening getting inapprorpriate for the kiddies. Luke quickly glanced at Arielle's face and saw that she had had the same thought.

Luke handed each of the kids a piece first. "You are our favorite Uncle." Jaina said, as she got the first piece, with a lot of frosting.

Everyone in the room chuckled.

Luke half-shrugged at Leia, who looked slightly worried at the idea of the kids getting so much sugar so close to bedtime.

Luke handed the next piece to Arielle, which caused everyone to aww.

Then the fact that Leia got the next piece, and she gave Han a bite caused everyone to aww. "Enough awing already." Leia said, crossly.

She hugged Arielle and Luke. They all laughed at the silliness of it.

Leia and Han led Arielle and Luke to a seat at the head of the table. "Us first." Jaina announced for the kids.

"Sorry, kiddos. You got cake first, I am giving the first present." Lando announced, picking up his package from the top of the pile.

"Appropriate?" Leia asked, raising an eyebrow.

"This one is. It is for the lady."

Arielle unwrapped a gorgeous necklace that had rain drips coming down from a central strand. It had an adjustable clasp so she could wear it tight around her neck or lower down. "thank you Lando. If this is your engagement present, I can't wait to see your wedding present."

Lando just laughed.

Wedge gave his present next. "Nothing as lavish as Lando, I am afraid."
Luke and Arielle unwrapped a beautiful lamp. "Oh this is gorgeous, thank you." Arielle said.

"Thanks, Wedge."

"No problem, Boss."

Chewie chimed in next, giving the couple a repulsor chair that could collapse down so as to be easily portable.
"Me next." Han said, when Leia was about to speak.

Leia raised her eyebrow, she thought that she was going to be giving their present.

Luke unwrapped Han's present and broke out laughing.

Leia gave her husband a stern look as Arielle bent down to read the note that was Han's present. This note certifies that Han Solo is now related to Arielle Kenobi. An honor that few would forego, Ms. Kenobi. Though you might want to forego it as it means you will be related to Luke Skywalker.

"What?" Han said, innocently. "Turn it over, kid."

This note certifies that Han Solo will give the newly engaged couple a ride in the unmatchable Falcon anytime between now and the wedding (assuming his wife, C.O.S. Leia Organa-Solo agrees.)

"Thanks, Han. We appreciate it." Luke said, a slight trace of sarcasm in his voice.

Everyone laughed.

"Here is our actual gift." Leia said.

She gave Luke and Arielle a wrapped package. Luke and Arielle opened it together. There were two sets of clothing in there. A black coat for Luke, and a white stylish sweatery cover for Arielle.

"When did you have time to make this?" Luke asked, astonished and amazed as to how his sister was able to multitask and squeeze so much into a short day.

"Oh, thank you." Arielle said, hugging her to-be sister-in-law.

"It is cold in the outer rim right now." Leia said, her eyes teary.

Luke knew she was thinking that the trip to other outer rim would separate her family for awhile so he responded to that comment by hugging his sister.

"Our turn." Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin chorused.

"For our beloved Uncle and a lady we are exc, excited to call our Aunt." Anakin said, importantly.

"We put this together, with only a little help from C3PO."

"Or do you mean hindrance." Han said, out of the corner of his mouth.

The children unveiled a beautiful holopicture that was obviously made by the three.

"Aww." Luke and Arielle said together. "thank you, all three of you."

Luke and Arielle hugged all the kids.

"All right, Winter will get you all to bed." Leia said, as she sensed the kids' nanny coming.

"Awww." The kids started whining.

"Daddy do we have to." Jaina whined.

"Lukie?" Anakin appealed.

But the adults stood firm. Luke gave the kids hugs good night and goodbye.

"So." Lando said, raising an eyebrow once the kids were out of the door. "Now the evening can start."

"Oh dear." Leia mutterd.

The adults dug out new presents.

"Guys, may I just say you guys have dirty minds…" Leia said, once the gifts were handed out.

Arielle knew that she should agree, but she had thought the gifts---tawdry underwear—were just funny.

"See what we are planning for the wedding." Lando said, grinning.

"especially as then Rogue Squadron can also contribute." Wedge added.

At this, Arielle, Luke, and Leia's faces dropped. "No gifts rule?" Arielle murmured.

"Wouldn't help." Leia whispered back. "then the presents you want, won't come, and the Rogues will still bring their presents."

Arielle decided to put the worry about what the Rogues and Luke were planning out of her mind and enjoy a wonderful evening.

An hour later, Arielle began to think of Leia, she had to work early tomorrow. "Luke, maybe we should get going, doesn't Leia have to work early tomorrow."
"I was just thinking the same thing, but we have to find a delicate way to do it. If Leia gets the impression that we are doing this for her she will resist. That's my sister for you."

"Luke, maybe you should rest." Han said, loudly.

Luke half-shrugged. "You are right." Leia said, her expression turning to worry. "Good night everyone, come on Luke, Arielle."

When Leia was not looking Han winked at Luke.

Luke snickered.

"We should go to the outer rim ASAP so we can know we can plan the wedding for." Luke murmured to Arielle as they walked into the apartment.

"Then I also want to see the Jedi Academy-"

"-where we will be spending the vast majority of our time." Luke finished. "Well, you are the lady with a ship large enough for both of us."

"The Tattoinian Heart. "

Luke and Arielle broke out laughing.

"Shh." Luke said. "If the kids wake up we are in trouble."

"You guys are putting them to sleep again then." Han said.

Luke walked on tippitoes into the apartment.

Though Luke and Arielle had decided to leave early, it was two weeks before Leia would let them leave.

"If I am not the first person you guys tell about the date of your wedding-" Leia left her threat unfinished.

"You will be." Arielle said, hugging her sister-in-law-to-be goodbye.

"The first of many adventures." Luke said to his fiancé as the blasted into space.

"Absolutely." Arielle said, hugging Luke.

Arielle gasped, causing Luke to turn.

Luke and Arielle saw Obi-Wan smiling at them.

"That's all I needed to make this perfect." Arielle said.

Luke could just hug Arielle in response, tears in his eyes.

Finis, for now.