Chapter 4

Ben and Vestara began to circle, and then with a quick but inaccurate strike from Vestara it was on. Ben didn't even give half of an effort. Strike after strike.

"Why would you want to marry me, I'm sith and much too young to have children."

"Believe me, when I say I don't want to marry you, anymore then you, want to marry me but when your mothers Force ghost shows herself and tells you, you're going to marry a very powerful ex-sith you don't exactly ask why the force would demand such a thing."

"You're not even trying, are you worried about hurting me?"

"I'm not try because I could be blind and without the force and still be able to fight you and kill you. Why kill you if I don't have to?"

A beep of the comm station sounded.

"The Errant Venture just jumped out of hyperspace."

"Venture you can send the Council to landing platform 29 there is something the Master will want to see."

"Roger, Calrissian, anything good?"

"Oh the usual Sith and Jedi saber fight over marriage all the usual in this family. I tell you I almost died from laugher when Shelley commanded Ben to fight this girl."

"I think I'll be coming down, too this sound like it could be fun."

Lando turned back to the fight.

They were still fighting Shelley crouched down to watch their foot work; Luke and Shelley were mentally communicating how with training Ben and Vestara would make an amazing fighting team. Then the Jedi Jumper docked and the ramp lowered. The council disembarked surrounding the duelist, while Amelia came over with Master Sebatyne and took her hand.

"Hello Aunt Shelley."

"Hello Amelia how are you sweetheart?"

"I'm okay I miss my grandparents though."

"I know sweetheart but we don't want you near the Moffs or Hapes for awhile you'll be staying with me and learning the ways of the force."

"Okay, why is Ben fighting her?"

"There dueling to see if she will marry Ben."

"A Sith marry a Jedi?"

"Yes, sweetheart." Shelley picked her up and continued to watch.

They were still fighting ten minutes later when Shelley started feeling very dizzy.

"Luke take her, now." Luke immediately took her and handed her to Saba who put her down and took her hand. Shelley took his arm and started to lean into him.

"Shelley what's wrong?" the last thing she saw and heard was Luke's very worried face and Ben calling 'Mom?'

Luke caught Shelley in his arms as she fell he used the Force to go down first so she wouldn't get hurt, he heard Ben call for her and again he called her 'Mom', if he wasn't so worried that he'd get hurt in his fight and about Shelley he would have laughed. He looked back at Ben and within 30 seconds had disarmed Vestara. Thrown her saber to Corran Horn as he stepped up with Kyle and Kyp to secure Vestara. And he ran over to them. Cilghal was also by their side now checking her pulse.

"Her pulse is erratic, has she eaten or done anything that could cause this Master?"

"No we ordered you to evacuate, had diner watched the news, and came up here she hasn't even done anything with the Force up here since we drew in on ourselves so she couldn't sense us, then we were communicating on how when she is properly trained, she and Ben will make an amazing fighting team like myself with Mara, or her."

"Luke." Mara's was standing there looking frightened.

Once again there was a cry of. "Mara?" Ben was just holding Shelley's hand as Luke was holding her in his arms while he sat on the floor.

"Mara, what's wrong with her, she was fine and then bam she's on the floor."

"When Shelley ordered Ben to fight Vestara she set everything into motion, I could not tell you that when one of you commanded Ben to fight his future wife, Shelley's life would begin to drain away until…"

"Until what Mara? Please she unconscious, Ben won, Vestara is in Jedi custody. And your acting like your sister is mere moments from joining you."

"Because she won't have long unless she is with child, Luke and were talking within the next 24 hours or she will be joining me, Cilghal will know what to do, and Luke remember it must be your child." Everyone one was looking at them with wide eyed surprise looks.

"What do you mean within the next 24 hours, Mara, Shelley and I haven't even declared ourselves yet, you just came to us tonight, how can any of you expect us to have a child in 24 hours? We both know the likely hood of her conceiving in that time is so small it's a death sentence."

"That is why you will need Cilghal, Luke you must do this, I'm not ready to be joined the Jedi need those twins and the other children she will give you. Yoda forbade me to tell you earlier, you know I think you may have been wrong about him, he seems to have a sadistic sense of humor he's doing that freaky little laugh of his."

Suddenly Yoda appeared. He smacked her shin with his walking stick. A few people chuckled

"Freaky laugh have I not. Sadistic sense of humor I may have, though. But this will of the Force it is. Bound together through the Force you are, declare you husband and wife, I do. Child must be conceived, 24 hours you have. Master Cilghal will give you the medical help you need, help them you will. Be calm young Skywalker your mother will return. Go we must, return we will, when council convenes, the Masters of old will show you ways to deal with problems you have. Goodbye for now. Come Master Skywalker time it is."

"I love you, and Ben its okay to call her Mom. She loves you just as much as I do, she was their when you were born she was second person to hold you, to connect with you through the Force. Be good to her, all of you." She looked at everyone. "When she wakes she will not know what has happened, she will only wake after she has conceived, and you'll have to explain it to her."

"No they won't sister." Shelley appeared as a Force ghost.

"Mom/Shelley/Aunt Shelley." Were called out as one

"She's not dead, she has a heartbeat."

"No I'm not dead, I'm throwing my spirit out of my body, my body will live at least for the next 24 hours." Shelley looked over to Yoda and bowed. "Grand Master it's good to see you, and I'm with Mara that's a very sadistic sense of humor."

"Master Skywalker."Bowing back. "And yes, sadistic sense of humor I have, but unable to tell you we were. Ordered by the Force I was."

"Um, so does this mean their married now?" Corran asked. "Because I'm very confused."

"Join the club." Kyp and Kyle said together

"Yes, were married now. This is very weird I was waiting as a teenager to be married off as most Queens were, but I was married off by the former Grand Master of the Jedi Order and my sister."

"Hey at least you love him, I could have thrown you in with someone else. Well not really but you get the point." Both Shelley and Mara laughed.

"Why do they think that's funny?" Ben asked his dad.

"I don't know there you're Mom's?"Luke said giving him an odd look when he said Mom's.

"Go now we must, Master Skywalker. Goodbye." And Yoda disappeared.

"I'll see you soon." And Mara disappeared.

"Okay, Cilghal you do whatever it is that you need to do we only have 23 and half hours, until I'm dead. Luke put me into a healing trance this has weakened me throwing around my spirit, do what must be done, we have a Council to convene." With that Shelley disappeared also. Luke put her into a healing trance as she had asked. He looked over at Ben who looked scared he was holding his dead mom again as he had been found all those years ago on Kaven.

"She will be alright son, I promise."

"Um, Luke old buddy I'm not a hundred percent sure what's going on but there is a fully stocked mini hospital where Chance was born plant side anything you need I can have here in hours."

"Thanks Lando, Cilghal you take her, began whatever it is you must do, all I know is it must be twins."

"Alright Master Skywalker, I will need you in a few hours there are things I must do with her first, Tekli will help me."

"Very well everyone load onto the Jumper, Lando can you comm Booster and see…"

"I already did he's sending a few down he got some for the mad Jedi figured with a sith around you'd need some."

"Very good." Luke bent down picked up his wife and carried her over to the shuttle."Kyp get us planet side, were on the clock."

"Yes Master, on our way."

"Well Vestara, how did it feel to be beat only because he saw his Mother hit the floor?"

"I think Master Harris was correct in say my former Master did me a disservice of not teaching me proper lightsaber fighting, how well do you think I will become at it?"

"Your Master will teach you all forms of combat, just as we teach our other younglings one of the Masters here will decide to take you, that's why you were surrounded from all sides, some are healer, others Guardians'."

"Guardians?"

"That's what most of us are there are a few teachers, there are healers and then there is rest of us who are the fighters."

"Alright, I guess, I suppose I'm a fighter."

"Oh, we know Shelley and I were talking while you two were fighting, you two will make an amazing team when you are trained."

"I don't recall hearing you talk."

"We were not talking, we were communicating telepathically, it's a force bond. When one of us love another or have been partners forever you can speak to one another, Kyp up there can do it with Jaina, his old mission partner on high priority missions Jaina and Zekk could have whole conversations but that was for another reason. We can speak to our twins, myself and my twin sister and Jaina and her twin Jacen could do it, but he's gone now."

"So twins run in your family?"

"Yes we thought only through the girls since, I only had Ben and Jacen only had Allana, but she was killed the same day as her dad. And Jaina is engaged but not married yet so she's not had any children, but we only have a few months before that wedding."

"So I won't have twins will I?"

"That I can't answer, it's the will of the Force not Grandparents, which I won't be for a very long time. Got it, you two." Every Master started coughing to cover their laughter but the apprentices didn't and laughed full out, as both Ben and Vestara turn a red as anything Luke had ever seen.

"Okay lowering boarding ramp."

"I'll meet you in the conference room in just a minute."

Luke stood up again still holding his wife, and carried her into the hospital wing, he laid her on the bed kissed her forehead.

"I'll bring one her dresses from the Shadow when I come back." Kissed her hand, and left the room.

He walked down the hall to the Conference room. And there sat all the Masters looking a little bit too excited for his taste.

"Okay, Luke spill." Corran said smiling

"Spill, what?"

"The news on how you and Master Harris ended up, I don't know well, let's just put it this way Luke she's being impregnated right now with your children." Kyp said snickering

"WOW that was crude." Octa said laughing

"We've been waiting for you two to get together, granted this is not the normal way for children to be conceived, but hey if anyone deserves to be brought together by the force it's you." Kenth said

"Thanks, wow, you know Mara and I never talked about having more children I think Ben's pregnancy along with her sickness, made her wary of having more."

"Well, your wife is going to be pregnant in just a few hours; you'll have more children on top of these twins." Corran said with a smile.

"Wife do you know how weird, it is to have you say wife, or children, or Ben calling her Mom, he did it on accident when we were on Sinkhole Station, Vestara's Master was coming and he just yelled Mom, Dad incoming. He was embarrassed. But now he did it again, when he saw her hit the floor. And I saw the look on his face when she appeared as a force ghost, he was clutching her hand like that alone would save her, he was holding her just like I found him doing with Mara, he's worried he'll lose his Mom and Aunt in one fail swoop. And now there's Vestara to worry about, I mean really he's 16 years old what in the galaxy would make the Force send him his wife now? We've had a tradition in this Order since its founding there are no children before marriage but if you're all but handed your bride on a silver platter, what would any of us have done? I know Jag and Jaina we're always careful, Tenal Ka and Jacen broke the rule but she was the Queen Mother of Hapes so I allowed it to passes without a fuss, but if this new generation thinks sex is just there for fun what are we going to do?"

"The code is clear, and you were right about Tenal Ka she wasn't a part of the Order in a formal way anymore she didn't break the code. The only thing we can do is council them and make sure everyone of them from a certain age is being protected we can't stop them but we can keep the code unbroken, if somehow someway it happens we will deal with it then." Octa said

"Agreed." Was the unanimous call

"So what age?"

"16 no older, and we will council them if they decide to take a relationship farther at a younger age all they have to do is go to Master Cilghal, and the only one she will report to is the head of that department, the Order is going to go through changes, were going to be adding duties changing them, we The Council will be the upholders of these rules, if someone fails we won't kick them out, they'll be sidelined for awhile." Luke thought for a moment. "Saba are the Barabel's, did you speak over them?"

"Yes, Tesar and Dordi, Zal and Wilyem. I did before they left for Dagobah as you commanded."

"Saba, what's wrong?"

"My son and the other 3 Barabel Knights, have began a nezt, I ask your confidence in thiz I understand sharing thiz with the last Masters on thiz Council, but I ask az it iz tradition, only the motherz of the said offspring even know itz mating time. They will be back in 4 monthz. The youngling will be brought back and raized here or where ever our home iz if the Grand Master permitz it."

"Yes, they are permitted to bring them home, just as any parent would be."

"Thiz one thankz you Grand Master."

Luke's comm beeped.

"Skywalker."

"We are ready, for you Grand Master."

"Very well, I will be their momentarily."

"I will return, you should check on your apprentices and/or set up your rooms we will be here for at least a week probably more, to make sure this pregnancy doesn't get lost. I've heard that invitro has higher potential of lose, I won't lose my wife and children."

"We agree."

Luke got up and walked down the hall. When he walked in Shelley's body was in an uncomfortable position but she was covered.

"I forgot to get her gown I'll get Ben, too." He pulled out his comm. "Ben?"

"Yeah Dad? What's up?"

"Can you go into Shelley's cabin and get her one of her gowns preferably a lose one, if you need help ask Octa or Saba. Okay?"

"Sure dad, is mom awake now?"

"No were just getting to the second part she'll be okay, if you want I can pull her out of her trance and you can meld with her."

"Yes please, I'm worried."

"Alright, I'm pulling her out give her a minute to realize what I have done then touch her reach out to her she'll know what you want to do."

"Okay just click me when you think she is aware enough for me to try okay."

"Alright son and knock you don't need to be in this room right now."

"Yes sir."

He touched her forehead. "I Love You." And he felt her awaken to the unconscious form, again.

"Ben wants to meld with you, he's scared." He felt her touch him in the force, it was like a wistful smile.

He clicked his comm twice. He then felt Shelley reaching for Ben and him accepting. They melded and she felt peaceful, and he felt calmed.

"Ben has melded with her, she's peaceful and he's been calmed."

Cilghal walked up to him with a cup.

"We need you to fill this Master." Luke took the cup clear his throat and walked to the bathroom.

The Jade Shadow

Ben reached for his Mom and he felt her reach back and they melded.

Mom, are you okay?

Yes sweetheart, I'm fine your Dad is here with me.

Mom, what dress do you want?

I have an Emerald gown it will be loose, and Ben I need new under clothes, if this is uncomfortable you don't have to do it, I can send your Dad in a while it will be a few hours before I wake at least, and another few before they let me up.

No Mom its fine.

Dad, said I couldn't come in, why?

Because I'm in a compromising position when it's time for me to give birth if you and your father feel comfortable with it, you may come in, but right now it's not a good time I can't talk to you, or comfort your fears in the things you see in this situation.

Okay but will you try and explain everything to me, please, when you're feeling up to it.

Yes, when I wake up. Even if I can't stand, I can still talk, explain and hold you, and comfort you.

Okay Mom that sounds good. I'm walking to the door now.

Sweetheart I need to break contact with you, your Dad and I need to meld there about to finish this it's important that he and I be connected for this do you understand?

Yes Ma'am, I love you, Mom. Call me when you wake up, I'll come right away.

Okay, last question where is Amelia?

She is with Chance and Tendra.

Okay, I love you.

Too, Mom.

He released the connection with his Mom, and almost hit the wall but suddenly Corran was there.

"Come on Son, let's leave these things for your parents and will go talk or spar, something to keep you from worrying okay?"

"Thank you, Master that would be a great comfort, Mom said if she was conscious she would let me in there but because she's not and can't explain and ease my fears she wants to wait and she'll explain it to me."

"That's probably a good idea."

Ben knocked on the door, a minute later his Dad opened it and stepped out into the hall.

"Here are all of Mom's clothes she told me which dress to get so I hope that's helpful."

"It is Son I felt how much peace was coming off her the entire time you were connected, you comforted her, and she you I assume because you're a lot calmer now."

"Yes, she said that if she was awake she'd let me in there, but when the babies are born that if you and I agree she'll let me in there to watch them being born."

"If you desire it, and it doesn't make you uncomfortable then I see no reason why not. Anakin felt everything your mother went through. He arrived about a two minutes after you were born. You may be there but if at any time you feel uncomfortable you'll leave."

"Thanks Dad. Now go in there and be with her, she's an amazing conversationalist when she's melded and she can practically see through your eyes it weird."

"Yes it's something she and your Mom developed and perfected the only way to learn how to make it work is to connect with her, now you'll be able to do it from now on."

"Go inside and meld with her explain to her what they're doing to her so she may explain it to me."

"Alright, I love you, son." Hugged him. "Thank you Corran."

"My pleasure Master."

They bowed to each other. And his Dad, turn back into the room he saw his mother in exactly the kind of position she wanted to explain to him.

"Come on, don't think about it, she'll explain everything to you, and I'm sure you'll have some questions for your Dad?"

"I know the general basics of how children come to be, but I don't understand what they're doing in there."

He point toward the room that his parents were in.

"That one I don't know son, I'm sorry my wife and I never need anything like that."

"Okay then let's go duel."