Chapter 134

AN: Here is the next update and not too much time has passed. I hope to keep it up. And thank you to those of you that are continuing to review. I appreciate it!

While Ari knew a Jedi shouldn't yawn, especially in an important meeting, it was hard not to. She bit her lip to stop herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Luke was watching the meeting proceedings, looking interested.

She had found it interesting too, for the first two hours. It had been over four hours now though and she felt as if there was no progress being made. She found it hard to concentrate due to the bickering. It reminded her of when she used to argue with Jett when they were young. However, it never would have gone on like this.

Bored?

Luke's voice broke into her thoughts and she gave a small start. It took her a moment to realize he was speaking to her through the Force.

What makes you ask that? She asked, stealing a glance out of him out of the corner of her eye. He was still watching the meeting. Mon Mothma was now speaking.

Because your mind seemed to be elsewhere.

She found herself giving a small shrug. I just am finding all of this difficult to follow. It seems petty and as if we're not making any progress.

That is why Jedi often leave the politics to the politicians.

Ari smiled slightly, but quickly hid it again. She was glad to hear Luke say that. While they would work for the Republic, she hoped they would not keep going to meetings such as this. It might have been different if there was some progress, but it was as if for every step they took forward, they took two back.

"…thank you. We will resume negotiations tomorrow morning."

Ari looked over at Leia as she said this. She had missed what was said before that, but didn't worry about it. She was just glad to be done. She caught sight of Han and couldn't help but laugh quietly. He looked as relieved as she felt. Possibly even more.

As everyone started to go their separate ways, Ari lost sight of the others, but decided to go outside. She slipped away from Luke and a few of the others near them, walking outside.

Usually when she went outside she would look at the night sky and feel peaceful while she looked at the stars. On Arbra and Tatooine, it was as if she could see the entire universe.

Coruscant was very different though. With so many lights and ships, it was nearly impossible to see any stars. She scanned the sky and thought she saw one, but then saw it was a ship.

For some reason, not being able to see the night sky, she felt a bit saddened, and quickly became aware once more of how many beings she could sense. There were millions, possibly billions on this planet. While Tatooine had too few beings, this planet seemed to have too many. It was the capital, but Theed had been the capital of Naboo and it had never felt so crowded.

"Ari?"

She turned and saw Luke standing a few meters behind her. "Hi," she greeted him.

"Are you alright?"

She started to nod, then shook her head. "I couldn't stand being inside for another minute, but it isn't any better outside. Coruscant is a wonderful place, and I can sense so many other beings, but it doesn't feel the same as Arbra or Endor. All the planets and trees. The life there was different, calming. Here, it all feels so rushed, so forced…"

Luke nodded, walking up to her. "I wonder if it was difficult to train Jedi here."

Ari glanced at where the Jedi Temple stood, then back at him. "Well, I'm sure they felt it was best to have it in the capital."

"That is true, but I can't help wondering if we should do things different now," he mused aloud, looking out over the never sleeping city-planet.

"Like what?"

"Well, I was thinking of relocating to a place that isn't so busy. Not busy like this I mean. It would only feel busy when we would realize how much life there is on almost all planets, even if there are no settlements. Like Yavin, or Endor. Full of life, but it was different."

Ari nodded. "I think that is a good idea." Talking with Luke was helping her feel calmer than before. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"I also would like to change a few other things," Luke continued. When Ari faced him, she saw that he was no longer looking out over the cityscape, but at her.

"What else?" she asked.

"The Jedi Code forbid attachment and I can see why. It can cloud a being's judgment."

Ari gave a slight nod, uncertain of what he was going to say next.

"But attachments help too. They allowed friendships and friendships can change into being more." He sighed and slid his real hand into hers. "I care about you, Ari. I love you. I know I told you that before, but I didn't just say that because I knew I might not return, or I knew there was a chance we could lose the battle and in turn, the war. I'd been thinking about it for awhile. Even though we weren't together often."

Ari just stared at him for a moment, her blue eyes meeting his. Since leaving Tatooine, Luke rarely spoke this much and he had never said anything romantic. A moment passed and she realized he was waiting for her response before continuing.

She couldn't help but smile and impulsively threw her arms around his neck, hugging him. His arms went around her waist and spun her in a circle, her feet, coming off the ground. Ari couldn't help but laugh and she looked up at Luke, she saw that he was smiling as well. It was not as expressive as his grin, which she had gotten to know well growing up together, but it was a smile nonetheless.

"I love you too, Luke," she told him.

Neither of them knew who initiated the kiss, but it didn't matter.

Ari had been nervous to bring up their relationship, knowing it could have taken a long time before they discussed it, due to the fact that they had to rebuild the Republic and the Jedi Order. Yet, he admitted that he loved her and she loved him too.

When they broke away from the kiss, they just looked at each other for a moment and then Luke tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "It isn't going to be easy."

"I know."

"And there could be times when we might not see each other for weeks, or months."

"I know."

"I just wanted to warn you, Ari."

"Luke, you've warned me of many things, but do I ever listen?" she asked, putting one hand on her hip.

"Never. And sometimes that infuriates me and impresses me at the same time."

She smiled at this and kissed him, though it was quick, her lips just brushing over his.

"Well, we should get back. We have an early day tomorrow."

That was when Ari remembered that they were going to the Temple and she felt a rush of excitement and dread overcome her at the same time. It would be amazing to walk down the halls that so many Jedi had walked, yet those same halls were where thousands of Jedi had met a tragic fate.

Luke broke her out of her thoughts, touching her shoulder and then motioning with his head. Ari nodded. Even if they could talk aloud or through the Force, sometimes they didn't need it. They understood one another.

Giving a small smile, she nodded and they two of them disappeared among the crowds of Coruscant to get ready for what would await them at the Temple.