Author's Note: I don't own the New Jedi Code. I got it from the internet at starwars(dot)wikia(dot)com

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Far From Home

Chapter 19

Kiya stared at Starling stunned. She couldn't believe what was happening. She switched off her green lightsaber and said, "What do you mean you want to court me? We've just met!"

Flustered, the scar-Jedi replied, "Yes, but I can't really explain it. It's just that when I first saw you standing there in the gardens I knew I just had to know you. It was like—"

"Love at first sight?"

"Yes! Exactly, but I know I'm being too forward. Attachments are new to me, my lady."

Kiya frowned. "You are impossible!"

She then turned about and started heading towards the exit, but Starling quickly caught up to her and seized her by the arm and made her pause. "Wait, we've still got a match, Lady Kiya. Do you think you can take me on?"

She smiled wickedly and said, "Of course, I can."

Kiya stepped away from the Jedi Master and ignited her green lightsaber with the flick of her wrist. She then took up a sword stance and waited for her opponent to begin. Meanwhile, Starling smiled back at her in return. He liked her spirit and quickly the two began to duel.

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Warren could not understand how things had gotten so wrong. He was so frustrated by Kiya and her friendliness towards his double. He thought they knew each other. He thought she cared for him like he cared for her. Where did he go wrong? Why didn't his Angel love him back? Was he so easy to forget and replace?

Feeling low, the former Sith found an observation deck high in the Temple and sat himself down on the floor in front of a large window. He always liked places like these and he felt the most comfortable. He liked to look out at the stars while cursing in space when he was Vader's apprentice. It reminded him that he was away from the dirt and dust of Nor and slavery. He liked to feel like he was separated from earthly troubles and safe.

However, no amount of pretending could stop his heartache. Gloomily, he bent his knees and crossed his arms over them before dropping his head down in despair. He hardly noticed Obi-Wan until he was standing right in front of him. He sensed the older man's aura in the Force and grumbled, "Leave me alone."

"Not until you tell what's wrong, Warren."

"It's Kiya."

"What about Kiya?"

"She's chosen that damn Jedi over me. My Angel doesn't love me."

Ben sighed. It amazed him sometimes how dramatic young people could be. "Warren, don't you think you're overreacting? Kiya just recently met your counterpart today. I doubt she's chosen him."

Suddenly, the young man exploded, "Well, why shouldn't she choose him! He's perfect! He's older and cultured and a Jedi. Why wouldn't she choose a Jedi over a Sith? He is the ideal version of me, isn't he?"

The Knight shook his head. "No, you're wrong, Warren. A counterpart is not the equal of the other person. The both of you maybe very similar, but you shouldn't make comparisons. You are both individuals."

"I don't care. Kiya will probably choose a Jedi or a Sith anyway."

Ben scratched his chin thoughtfully and said, "Then, tell me, do you think you would love Kiya more if she were a Sith?"

Warren looked at Obi-Wan strangely and made a face. "No. It wouldn't matter to me one bit which teachings my Angel followed as long as she loved me."

The Knight smiled. "That's very open minded of you, Warren. And I'm glad you're keeping your word. But, you should know there is very little difference between a Jedi and a Sith. The main difference is that one chooses to be a servant of good while the other a servant of evil. You've already chosen which path to follow since we left Dagobah. All you need to do is make your status official to the High Council and you too will be a Jedi."

The Dark Knight nodded. "Fine. I'll do it."

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Location: outside the Jedi Council Chamber

"You seem to have changed your mind rather quickly, Sir Knight," said Thrice.

Ben turned to face his wife and said, "Yes, Milady. You were right. I did overreact when I met, young Warren. But, things are a bit complicated now. There appears to be another Warren Starling here in our universe. He's a Jedi and is also interested in Kiya."

Thrice grinned. "Well, isn't that a surprise. It's just too bad Kiya cannot keep them both."

Appalled, Ben shouted, "Thrice! Don't be ridiculous. She can't have the pair of them. It's so—disturbing."

The red-eyed beauty laughed and playfully took her husband's hand and sent trickling waves of joy through her fingertips to his palm. The sensation sent a chill down his spine that he had to close his eyes and stifle a moan by pressing his lips.

"You minx! Why do you always tease me just before I enter the Council room?"

Happily, she replied, "You're just too irresistible, my love."

Warren rolled his eyes at the couple and coughed loudly into his fist. "Obi-Wan, how long is this knighting ceremony going to take?"

Ben looked at the young man behind him and smiled. "Oh, not long. I just have to inform the Grand Master and the Council. It shouldn't be a problem considering you already underwent the trials."

"Then, we better get going," said Thrice. She then moved forward and pushed open the chamber doors and the three of them entered the room and bowed before the High Council.

Warren saw that the Council was made up of different types of beings and they were all seated in purple seats and at the center was a middle-aged man with light brown hair and blue eyes. He gave the Kenobi couple a friendly smile and acknowledged them with a nod.

"Master Obi-Wan, Lady Thrice, what can I do for you?"

Ben took a step forward and said, "Masters, I would like to present to you a young man for knighthood. He has completed his Jedi trials and would like to be knighted today."

"This is a bit irregular, Ben. Usually a Padawan is recommended for knighthood by his Master in advance and is presented before the Council for review. You know that."

"Yes, as one of the founders of the New Order I know regulation very well, however this young man is an exception. He is originally from a different dimension that was set some 30 years ago in the past. He is also a former Sith and—"

"Wait. Did you say this man was a former Sith?"

The Knight nodded. "Yes, that is correct, but he is reformed. I know. I had him undergo the Jedi trials myself."

The Council members then began to mumble amongst themselves before Luke finally raised his hand to silence them. He then stated, "If Master Obi-Wan vouches for this young man than I take him by his word."

"But, Master Luke, a former Sith?" questioned a Council Master.

"No, I trust, Obi-Wan. He is this Council's Grand Advisor. If we can't trust his word than we can trust no ones."

Ben humbly bowed and said, "Thank you, Master Luke."

The Grand Master then gestured for Warren to step forward and cautiously he did and gave the Council another bow. "Masters."

Luke smiled at him and said, "You have a good friend in Obi-Wan, young man. Please, tell us your name."

"I'm Warren Starling. A former Sith."

"I see, and how do you feel about being a former Sith, Warren?"

"I won't apologize for my past, Master."

The room once again broke into quiet whispers, but Lady Thrice added, "And he shouldn't have to. His past is not on trial here, it is the subject of his knighthood."

Luke looked at the ruby-eyed beauty and grinned. "Yes, thank you, Lady Thrice. But, we must still assess him in order to find out if he qualifies. Now, Warren, why did you give up your path of Darkness?"

The Dark Knight inhaled a deep breath and said, "I did it for love. I did it so that I could be with Lady Kiya."

Shocked, Luke exclaimed, "Kiya? You love Kiya?"

"Yes. I do. I betrayed my Master and disobeyed him so that I could be with her."

The Grand Master then turned his gaze to Obi-Wan and asked, "Is this true, Ben?"

"Yes, young Warren helped take down the Evil Empire in his own dimension and betrayed his former Master, Lord Vader in order to be with Lady Kiya. He followed her here in our dimension and underwent the Jedi trials under my supervision on Dagobah."

Luke leaned back in his chair and replied, "Well, then Obi-Wan must think very highly of you, Warren. Very well, we will take a vote on it and we will summon you once our decision is made. Dismissed."

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Location: training room

Kiya laughed merrily as she playfully knocked Starling off balance and sent him tumbling into a cart of discarded gym towels and supplies. Giggling, she sprinted away from him as he got up and began to chase her around the room.

"I take it back, you're no lady, you're a spoiled child!"

"Oh, you're just cross cause I beat you."

"Well, you fight dirty for a Jedi."

Suddenly, the door swung open and in walked Jinn. "That's because she's a warrior first and a Jedi second."

"Jinn!" shouted Kiya. She then dashed up to her brother and gave him a hug. The warrior wrapped his arms around her snugly and kissed her forehead. He then looked up and noticed that her sparring partner wasn't Scorn or her usual opponent, Master Halt.

"Well, whose this, darling? A new friend?"

"I suppose you could say that. He's Warren's counterpart."

"Warren?"

"Scorn. Warren Starling is Scorn's original name. This is our dimension's Warren Starling." Kiya suddenly leaned in close and whispered into her brother's ear, "Oh, Jinn. I'm so confused."

The warrior sympathetically patted his sister's head and eyed the scar-Jedi curiously. He then gave the lady-knight a teasing look and said, "Well, Kiya. It appears that you have options."

"Jinn!"

"Though, don't you think it's a bit cruel to be so indecisive with a young man's heart? What would mother say?"

Kiya frowned and grumbled, "Oh, don't be so superior, Jinn. Mother would probably tell me to keep both and you know it."

The warrior laughed. "Yes, I suppose you're right, but still, I thought young Warren was your boyfriend."

"Well, he's upset with me right now. And he's jealous and acting very selfish. Though, I suppose he could have behaved worse than he did. Oh Jinn, I'm afraid."

The warrior narrowed his brow. That last statement didn't make any sense. Kiya was by far one of the most fearless people he knew. "Afraid of what?"

Shyly, Kiya ducked her head and flushed. She then leaned in close to her brother's ear and in a soft voice, she said, "I'm afraid that I'm falling in love."

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Location: Council Chamber

Warren was summoned to return to Council Chamber while Obi-Wan and Lady Thrice waited for him by the doors. He cautiously approached the Masters alone in the center of the circular room. He didn't like the atmosphere at all. The circle and the Masters surrounding him made him feel like a creature on display. It made him feel like they were concerning him, but he remained still and tried his best to look straight ahead. He didn't want to appear fearful or weak among these Jedi. He just really hated being judged.

"Please, calm yourself," said Master Luke.

The young man honed his gaze at the Grand Master and bowed. "Master. What is your judgement?"

Luke rose from his seat and soon the other Masters followed. He then gave the former Sith a bow and replied, "This Council finds you worthy of knighthood, Warren Starling. Come, step forward and kneel."

The Dark Knight did as he was told and waited as the Grand Master approached him and ignited his blue lightsaber and paused it over the young man's left shoulder and slowly raised it to his right while he spoke to him.

"Warren Starling, please repeat after me:

Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.

Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.

Jedi respect all life, in any form.

Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.

Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.

Now, raise Jedi Knight Warren Starling. Welcome to the New Jedi Order."

Suddenly, the room was filled with applause from the surrounding Council Members and Obi-Wan and Lady Thrice came to stand by him and gave him their congratulations. And in response, Warren was deeply touched. He felt recognized—like he mattered. He didn't know these people and they didn't know him, but they were willing to give him a chance and make him a part of them. They wanted him. They somehow accepted him. Warren had never been so wanted in his life that it amazed him. And the most shocking thing of all was that they hadn't asked him for anything in return. It was astonishing. He began to think that becoming a Jedi was probably one of the best things he ever did.

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Location: training room

For a moment all Jinn could do was stare at his little sister in wide-eye shook. He felt frozen in place—he couldn't move, he couldn't think. It was just too stunning to be true. Kiya in love? Kiya in love with a man?

Jinn abruptly shook his head in order to break his shock-spell and said, "Wait a minute. I thought this was only a one sided infatuation?"

Hesitantly, Kiya bit her lip and was about to reply, but Starling stepped forward and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Master Starling. And you are?"

"Jinn. Master Jinn Kenobi. I'm Lady Kiya's brother."

Starling brightly smiled and said, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Master Jinn. I had no idea Lady Kiya had a brother. You must hear this all the time, but you look remarkably like your father."

Exasperated, the warrior sighed. "You've no idea. Though, your appearance has reminded me about some news I received from mother. She has informed me about father's plotting. It would appear there will soon be two Jedi Starlings."

"No!" cried Kiya. She couldn't believe it. It was just so exciting.

Though, the scar-Jedi was confused and frowned. "Wait, what do you mean?"

Jinn said, "Young Warren is going to be made a Jedi Knight. Lady Thrice contacted me just before they made their appeal to the High Council."

"What!" shouted Starling. "That former Sith is going to become a Jedi? What is Master Obi-Wan thinking?"

Yet, before he could get his answer, Starling was interrupted by Kiya's cheers of joy. The blue-eyed beauty squealed happily and grasped Jinn by his hands and smiled brightly. "Oh, Jinn! How wonderful! I must go congratulate him. I just know the Council will give their consent."

The lady-knight then gave her brother a quick kiss on the cheek and off she went towards the exit to the Council Chamber. Meanwhile, Jinn grinned amusingly at Kiya's excitement while Starling looked on with dread. The elder Starling did not like seeing his lovely lady so happy over his darker counterpart. He feared that she may already like the doppelganger more than him, yet he was still hopeful that he could change her mind. He may still have a chance to win over his sweet lady's heart.

However, Master Jinn unexpectedly disrupted Starling's thoughts when he spoke. "I must warn you, Master Starling not to trifle with Lady Kiya's heart or I will be forced to defend her honor. I don't care if you're a Jedi Master or not."

The scar-Jedi narrowed his brow and said, "And you aren't concerned about this former Sith?"

"I've already made myself quite clear to young Warren. What I need to know is if we are clear."

Starling smiled smartly at the warrior and replied, "Perfectly, Master Jinn. I can see you care a lot about your sister. She is a very special woman. I won't take her for granted."

"Good. Be sure that you don't forget our conversation."

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TBC

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Jedi Angel001 - Thanks for reviewing. I really appreicate it.

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