Far From Home

Chapter 6

Location: Lar's farm

"It's a shame what happened to Shimi and Cliegg, but thank goodness Owen and Beru are alright. Though, I think they are a bit surprised to see us at their old farm. I heard Own opened a new moisture farm a few kilometers from here," said Ben.

"I don't like farming," replied Thrice.

Leia nodded her head. "I agree. It's a nice quiet life, but still feel like I need to do something. I can't just sit here while the Empire is still out there. I feel like I'm crawling inside my own skin."

Ben replied, "You might think about training with Luke. You have potential as a Jedi. And it doesn't hurt to learn some new skills. In fact, I'm sure he and Kiya would be more than happy to teach you."

Leia then rose and began to head out the door. "Fine. Meanwhile, you two lumps can go watch the vaporizers collect dew."

Then after a beat, Thrice turned to Ben and said, "I think she feels we are boring."

Ben smiled. "Boring? Heaven's no. A little peace and quiet is quite relaxing after facing the Sith. And besides, my dear, I have you for company. My first stay on Tatooine was utterly boring."

The lady-captain laughed. "Oh my, I do believe you're flirting with me, Sir Knight."

"Nonsense, Milady. I only speak the truth. Since being in your company I have enjoyed your conversation and your delightful cooking. I feel fortunate to have found such a good friend. Our talks remind me greatly of my old friendships with my fellow Jedi."

Thrice then rose and poured them both a cup of water and placed them down on a table and sighed. "Yes, I feel the same way. You also remind me of my comrades at the Clan, Ben. But, I've always been a skeptic about pledges of loyalty. It's hard to make promises if you don't know what tomorrow might bring. What if we fail? What if I fail?"

Then, tenderly Ben took her hand in his own and gave it a kiss. "I know without a doubt that I can count on you, Milady. And I want you to know that I will do my very best to insure that you can count on me as well."

Bashfully, Thrice replied, "I—I know you are a man of your word, Ben. And I thank you. I'm usually not so easily shaken, but I find that it's easy for me to confide in you. I normally keep my worries to myself."

Ben replied, "I feel privileged to be your confidant, Milady. It's a sure sign of your trust."

The lady-captain then lifted her head and locked her ruby-eyes with Ben's and said, "I do trust you, Ben. I feel we are kindred spirits with a common past. And when I see you, I see parts of myself. But tell me, Sir Knight. Tell me, what would bring you happiness?"

The old Jedi stared into the lady-warrior's jeweled eyes and saw the sincerity of her question. She wanted to gleam from him the answer of her own happiness. She wanted to know from a fellow warrior the answer to emptiness and loneliness—but Ben had no answer. He had no reply to quench her thirst for forfillment. All he did know was that he cared for her. She was the first person in a long time to actually understand him. She understood what he meant and why he did the things he did. He didn't have to explain himself with her.

"Happiness—happiness is this, Milady." Ben then leaned forward and gave Thrice a kiss.

It was a simple and gentle kiss. A kiss filled with softness and care. And when Thrice opened her eyes she saw Ben smiling at her lovingly and stroking her inky black hair. The lady-warrior felt frozen in place and gradually she released a breath she had no idea she was holding and sighed.

"Oh my."

"Hush, Lady Thrice. I know it may seem impossible, but I've grown to love you dearly in a very short time. I know that nothing more can come from this, but I felt I had to tell you. I felt you had to know that you are my happiness. You are my lady of sweet fire. And I wish I had met you long ago before I became old and worn. When I was capable of making myself worthy of your love."

Softly, Thrice raised her hand and caressed Ben's face and replied, "I had no idea."

Ben then stilled her hand and shook his head. "I know—it's unthinkable, Milady. You needn't say more. I understand completely how ridiculous this must all seem—"

"No, Ben," frowned the lady-captain—"I was going to say, I had no idea that love could be my happiness. I think it's wonderful that you love me. I've grown to love you too. In fact, I think I'll keep you."

Confused, he parroted, "Keep me?"

With a sly smile, the lady-warrior said, "The Clan have ways of making the impossible come true, Ben. But, tell me—did you really mean it? Would you be with me if you could?"

Obi-Wan wasn't sure what she was getting at, but he nodded his head and replied, "Yes, I would want to be with you, Milady, but it's only wishful thinking. It simply cannot be."

"That's what you think."

Thrice smiled and pulled out her communicator. She then pressed a bottom on the control and then clicked it closed and placed it back on her belt with a look of complete satisfaction.

"What did you do?" questioned Ben.

"Remember I told you I crash landed at the Core and that Bail saved me? Well, most of my ship is still intact. I had it repaired and it is fully operational. I just activated the homing beacon and it should arrive sometime tomorrow."

Perplexed, Ben asked, "Yes, but why did you call your ship?"

"My ship has a lab inside that can make your wish come true, Sir Knight."

-0-0-0-

The next day, early in the morning there was a loud boom that disturbed the desert silence. A mysterious spaceship appeared out of the sky and landed right by the Lar's farm with a blast of sand, wind and air that sent Luke, Leia and Kiya out the door to investigate. And when they stood outside they saw a sleek metallic ship with an elaborate design of wild emerald flames painted across its side. It was a ship that none of the three had ever seen before.

Leia said, "Whose ship is that?"

The lady-captain then marched out of the house and shielded her eyes from the suns and said, "That's my ship."

At her words, everyone turned to look at Thrice with astonishment. They had no idea that Thrice owned her own ship and they had no idea why it was even here.

Luke stood next to the Captain and pointed to the vessel and said, "That's your ship! Why didn't you ever tell us you had ship?"

Smiling, Thrice replied, "Well, most captains have ships, Luke, but I didn't call in the Quest for war. I summoned her so I could use her lab."

Meanwhile, the Princess was bewildered. She was annoyed when she wasn't informed. "Lab? What lab? Why do you need a lab?"

Then, proudly Thrice said, "Why, to fix my new boyfriend of course."

"Boyfriend?"

"Force and Phoenix fire! This is wonderful!" cheered Kiya. The lady-knight leaped into the air and was overjoyed.

Though, the two siblings were confused. They had no idea what was going on. Luke gave his sister a meaningful look and narrowed his brow and said, "I don't get it? What new boyfriend?"

"I believe she means me, Luke," answered Ben.

Wide-eyed with shock, Luke and Leia were speechless. Luke then walked up to his mentor and just stared at him in dumbfounded disbelief until he broke down laughing and patted Ben on the back.

"Force, Ben! Are you kidding?"

The old Jedi flushed and shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Luke."

"Jeez, I wish someday I could be that lucky too. Isn't she like half your age, Ben?"

In response, Ben discreetly coughed in his fist embarrassed by being accused of being a cradle robber and replied, "Yes, well trust me. No one is as surprised as I am, Padawan, but the Captain is in actuality the same age as me."

Leia the said, "Yeah, but I still don't understand why you need a lab?"

Ben rubbed his beard and answered, "I am unclear of that myself, Leia."

Though, just then Thrice took hold of Ben's hand and pulled his forward. "Come, I'll explain why once we get inside."

-0-0-0-

Location: the Quest, lab

Obi-Wan gazed at the different machines and equipment within the spaceship and marveled at the technology. He could identify some of the things and their uses but the majority were all a mystery. He had no idea that Thrice had come from such an advanced culture. Though, many times he had to admit he thought she was human when she was in fact not. And it didn't take her long to bring them to a strange tube-like machine with a medical table and scanner.

He asked, "What's all this?"

The lady-captain then turned about and said, "This machine is a cloning device. I can replicate your body and reprint your mind into it. Basically, you would be reincarnated in a new form."

Leia said, "But, why would anyone want to do that?"

"Oh, for many reasons like injury, disease, cosmetics or longevity. You can ever spawn a new race of beings from a cloning device like this one."

"Isn't that unethical?" said the Princess. "You can't just make a whole race of nobodies. That's wrong! No, I won't be like the Emperor and make my own set of stromtroopers. I forbid it, Captain."

Thrice sighed and crossed her arms over her chest and said, "No, Leia. That's not what I had in mind. I want to use this machine so I can clone Ben then he and I can be together. I have no intention of cloning an army and besides that's a much larger operation than this one unit can achieve."

Luke frowned and said, "Captain, why do you even have this machine?"

The lady-captain then lowered her head and replied, "Because I was created in a machine like this one, Luke. My people were made by scientist to be soldiers. We've sort of like stormtroopers, but we are individuals with skills similar to that of the Jedi. They also live for a very long time. Nearly double that of a human's, but the scientist liked to reincarnate us over and over again."

Ben quietly approached Thrice and placed his hand on her shoulder and asked in a sad tone, "How many times? How long?"

Softly, the lady-captain replied, "It doesn't matter? And anyway, I didn't come here to talk about myself. I wanted to ask you, Sir Knight, if you would be willing to be reincarnated? Would you like to be happy with me?"

Ben said, "I meant what I said, Milady."

-0-0-0-

It took nearly the whole day, but in no time at all Obi-Wan's clone was made with miraculous speed and technology of the Clan. It awed the two siblings how a few drops from the old Jedi's blood could create such a fast growing replica, but in the murky waters within the tube grew a human being that was fully formed and whole. Though, by mid-day Kiya dragged Luke and Leia to the galley and insisted that the couple have their privacy and that she'd treat the siblings to a homemade meal.

Though, by the time the twin suns began to set across the dunes and wash the sands in darkness, a lone figure appeared over the horizon and headed towards the Lar's farm with furious determination. It wasn't until the sky began to glow with starlight did the stranger finally arrive near the compound and his presence set Luke and Kiya on edge.

Leia saw her two companions grow quiet and they both rose and raced down the ramp with their sabers draw out in their hands.

Leia ran after them and shouted, "What's wrong?"

Kiya looked around on alert; "Someone is coming. Someone dangerous. Leia go back inside."

Yet, out of the darkness emerged a black hooded figure. He stepped towards them removed his hood and steeled the three with his yellow hate filled eyes. He said, "I've been looking for you, female Jedi."

Kiya then let her resolve harden and she replied, "What do you want, Sith?"

Scorn then took off his cloak and tossed it to the ground and removed his lightsaber from his belt and began to pace. He eyed the blue-eyed beauty and said, "Let me be blunt, Jedi. I am Darth Scorn and I desire you to be my woman. Say you will be mine or if not than I challenge you to a duel to the death."

Kiya laughed and replied, "You're mad, Sith dog. I yield to no man."

The lady-knight then activated her green lightsaber and charged her opponent. She tried to sever him in half, but he ignited his blade and the two duelists began to fight with blocks and blows and illuminated the night with war. Meanwhile, Luke couldn't let Kiya fight the Sith alone and he sprang into action.

The young Jedi then lunged forward and attempted to intervene, but he was pushed back by Scorn with the power of the Force and he landed hard in the sands.

Scorn shouted hotly, "Don't interfere!"

Kiya then used the Force as well to shove the Sith away and cried out to Luke as she swung her blade. "I don't need help to slay this dog!"

Next, the lady-knight kicked Scorn and punched he with her left fist across the face and began to channel the Force around her. Though, unknown to the two fighters Leia had rushed back inside the ship and got Thrice and Ben to help.

Luke ran up to his surprisingly youthful looking Master. He now appeared to be in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven and dressed in medical-gown. Though, Luke didn't pause long and shouted, "Ben! We've got to do something! He's going to kill her!"

Ben calmly placed his hand on his Padawan's shoulder to hold him back from the duel and replied, "No, there is something off about Darth Scorn."

The Sith meanwhile grasped Kiya in a Force-choke and was about to suffocate the lady-Jedi to death, but her gasped for breath and desperation ate away at the Sith's cold heart. Her cries of pain and whimpers torn at his soul that he unexpectedly let her go. He then deactivated his lightsaber and fell to his knees and grabbed his head with sadness and despair.

"I can't! I can't do it! I just can't! I've failed as a Sith. Master, please forgive me. Please!"

Kiya though struggled to remain steady on her feet and she too deactivated her blade and narrowed her brow in confusion. "What's wrong? Why won't you fight me?"

Scorn then looked up at the lady-Jedi and moved close to her and grabbed her hand. He gave her a look of pure desperation and shut his eyes tight. "I—I can't bring myself to hurt you. I want you to love me. I'd do anything to have you love me."

At this, Kiya was shocked. She pulled her hand away from the Sith like she'd been burned and shouted, "But you're a Sith, for Force sake! Sith don't love. They only hate."

Scorn opened his eyes and pleadingly said, "Then, if I weren't a Sith, then would you love me?" Then, would you be mine?"

Appalled, Kiya cried, "This is madness!"

The Sith then rose from the ground and took hold of Kiya by the shoulders and said, "I mean what I say, Angel. Command me and I will obey. Request of me anything and it is yours. All I want in return is your love. If you would be mine than I would deny you nothing. I even defied my own Master in coming to you, I desire you so much."

Annoyed, Kiya lifted her arms and broke Scorn's hold and shoved him away. "You're like a lovesick pup. I don't need a shadow."

"But, I can't deny my feelings, Angel. I know its wrong for me to love you, but I do. And as unbelievable as it sounds, it was love at first sight."

Kiya frowned. "But, we were fighting when we first met."

Scorn smiled and said, "I know it's sick, but it's true. You're wild like a flame. You're all fire and fight, but I can tell, Angel—I can tell you're more than just a warrior. You're an archangel."

Irritated, the lady-Jedi roared, "Stop talking about me like you know me! And stop calling me Angel. My name is Kiya! Kiya Kenobi!"

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TBC

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Jedi Angel001- Yeah, I wanted Kiya to develop a romance of her own and not just write another Ben/Thrice romance. Though, I feel that this Ben/Thrice pair is the sweetest. I also think that Scorn is a bit annoying. I didn't want him to become like a grade school boy with a crush and picks on the girl, but I want to work on him and have him grow.

gurnius - I'll try and be informative as you are in reviewing, so here goes. Frankly, I made up Scorn for the sole purpose to be Kiya's love interest. She doesn't really have many options and I wanted to create an OC that fit the Star Wars universe and not just stand around like an extra. And why can't Vader have an apprentice? I can't imagine Sidious thinking of a good reason to say no. And this is an AU so I can pretty much write anything. And yes, Scorn has a very similar past to Anakin. It's what drew Vader to take him in as an apprentice, but I also image that Vader would see Scorn like a son.

As for Luke wanted to save Vader. Luke's reason is that he's a good person. He's a good guy and does good things. He doesn't need to have a heart to heart with Vader to want to save him. In fact, according to the movie I find it strange that Luke would want to reform Vader since he killed Ben. In this AU Ben never got killed, so Luke in my opinion wouldn't have a grudge.

Please keep reading and reviewing. Thank you.