Coruscant: Jedi Temple

In the late afternoon Ben returned to the apartment he shared with his parents in order to shower and dress for dinner at the Manarai Restaurant. As he entered the residence he paused in the doorway and announced his arrival. "I'm home."

He recently had gotten in the habit of loudly proclaiming his presence at the entryway since that awful day that he walked in on his parents making out on the couch. Thankfully when he found them in their amorous embrace they were fully clothed, but he was a bit shocked that people who were nearly sixty years of age still did that sort of thing.

He considered moving out and requesting an apartment in the Temple dormitory. He was embarrassed that he was still living with his parents as a grown man and he was even more mortified that they appeared to have a more active love life than he did. He shuddered at the thought.

Unfortunately, there were no empty rooms in the dormitories, therefore, he would have to bunk up with another Knight. He could rent an apartment, but he could only afford to live in the lower, seedier levels of the city. In the end, he decided living with his parents was the best option, especially since he was gone most the time on missions and with his parents' busy schedule they often would go days without seeing each other.

He stepped further into the apartment and when he didn't hear the sound of a headboard banging against the wall he assumed he wouldn't get any unpleasant surprises from his parents today. "Mom? Dad?"

"I'm in the office, Ben," came the sound of his mother's voice. He walked back to the small home office located at the rear of the apartment and found his mother staring at the computer screen intently while sipping some caf. He immediately could sense an uneasiness radiating from her through the Force.

"What's going on?" Ben asked as he walked into the room.

His mother shut off the computer and sat back in her seat with a sigh. When she turned in his direction and he could see worry etched on her face. "We got word from Jaina that Lumiya was spotted in Chiss space and then today your father thought he sensed Lumiya in or near the Temple. "

Ben's eyebrows shot up. He had heard stories about Lumiya, but she supposedly vanished around the time he was born. "Lumiya! Here?"

She nodded. "Or nearby."

Ben sat down in an empty seat in the room. "What are you and dad going to do?"

"Probably hunt her down and separate her head from her body," his mother said matter-of-factly, with no trace of humor in her voice.

Ben covered a smirk. "That sounds like one of your plans, can I assume Dad wants to capture her and bring her to court to answer to any crimes she's committed…like we should do," he stressed the last part. He saw hardness in his mother's eyes that he hadn't seen in a long time. Obviously there was no love lost between the two women.

Mara made a face at her son. "It's not that easy. If capturing her were a simple task we would have done it years ago. Those who have tried have died or have come back missing parts of their body. With Sith you kill them."

Ben raised a cautionary hand. "Mom, you have to let the justice system work. You can't kill people just because they're Sith."

Her face grew tight. "And why not?"

Ben spread his hands out in a placating gesture. "Ummm…because it is probably illegal. I am fairly sure somewhere there is a scum sucking lawyer that will argue that Sith is a religion and therefore a protected class under the GA laws and constitution…and the next thing you know you are being accused of a hate crime." He smirked. "Borsk Fey'lya is Chief of State, you know… and not a huge fan of the Jedi."

"You're probably right." His mother groaned with a scowl. "I really, really dislike that Bothan."

Ben gave a mock look of surprise. "Really? I haven't noticed. You're so secretive when it comes to those you dislike," Ben said sarcastically then paused in thought for a moment. "Did you say Dad sensed her in the Temple today?"

"Yes, he was talking to Jacen when he felt her presence and he said he felt something else…something that felt like Palpatine…but it wasn't the Emperor. It was a little like how Mark sometimes feels like Palpatine in the Force."

"I'll have to take your word on that one. I never met the Emperor." Ben gave her a questioning look. "Was a woman with Jacen at the time?"

Mara shook her head. "Your Dad didn't mention anybody else, but I'll ask him when he gets back. Why?"

"When I was with Uncle Mark at the gym he saw Jacen and then he acted all strange about the woman with him. He tried to catch up, but missed them."

"What did she look like?"

"I don't know, I was trying to keep a hundred kilogram barbell from crushing my larynx at the time. I'm having an early dinner with Uncle Mark today, I can ask."

"Yes, ask him for me." She gave her son a curious gaze. "Ben do you know where Jacen learned his recent Force cloaking technique?"

Ben shook his head. "No, but he startled me with his new trick."

Mara took another sip of caf. "See if Mark knows who taught him and can you also ask him if he has been experiencing any bad dreams or Force visions."

"Why? Have you been having nightmares?" Ben asked.

"No your father has."

"About Lumiya?"

"No," there was a slight hesitation. "No, not Lumiya, but another Sith." His mother looked like she was going to expand on the subject, but changed her mind. Instead she smiled at her son and said, "I heard you have a date later tonight."

"I've got get ready for dinner," Ben groaned as he moved to leave the office. "I'll let you know what Mark says."

Mara chuckled as her oldest son left. She learned long ago whenever she wanted to change the subject all she had to bring up was Ben's love life. And she needed to change the subject…because she really didn't want to tell him about Luke's dream of her being dead and Mark becoming a Sith.

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Mark and Ben sat in a private dining area of the Manarai restaurant eating dinner. It was a small room Mark kept available for himself and family. He had bought half ownership of the facility with the large monetary reward he received for killing the Emperor Reborn on Byss. Kira had worked at the Manarai prior to her abduction and imprisonment on the Imperial planet. After her rescue, Mark returned with Kira to Coruscant only to find a damaged restaurant and one of the partner-owners ready to sell his shares at rock bottom prices. It was an opportunity Mark couldn't pass by. Over the last two decades he had bought out the remaining portion of the restaurant from the other partner. Now it was completely owned by Kira and Mark Tantiss…although Kira was the one truly running the operation. Mark spent most of his time following Luke around on Jedi missions and then recovering in a bacta tank.

Both men were heartedly eating thick steaks with grilled mushrooms and a side dish of local vegetables. Ben wasn't as big as Mark, but he had a Skywalker appetite when it came to food.

"Mom was asking me questions today about Jacen and that woman you thought you recognized," Ben remarked between bites of food.

Mark made an effort to chew quickly and devour the large piece he had shoved in his mouth before talking. "About what?"

"She wanted to know what the woman looked like and she was curious about Jacen's knowledge of Force Stealth." Ben took a sip of wine and then continued. "He said he learned it and perfected it just recently. She was wondering if you or any of the other Jedi Masters instructed him."

Mark shook his head. "I couldn't see the woman's face, she was wearing a veil."

"Who do you think it was?" Ben asked.

Mark shrugged. "I don't know exactly, but there was something very familiar about her." He took another bite of steak and chewed. "I wasn't even aware that Jacen knew Force Stealth. So, don't look at me, I didn't reveal to him how it's done."

Ben's eyes narrowed. "You know how to do it?"

Mark nodded. "It was a skill Palpatine knew, therefore I know. I haven't tried it because I don't like messing with Sith knowledge."

"Is it Sith knowledge or just Force knowledge?"

"I don't know. Like I said, I never tried it."

Ben gestured at him with his fork. "Do it and see."

Mark frowned. "Do it and see if it's a Sith technique? Really?" Mark then did his best Ben Skywalker impersonation. "Hey Uncle Mark, try it and see if you turn into a villainous Sith Lord," he said sarcastically.

"Come on," Ben said knowing his Uncle hated it when his mother used that particular phrase to cajole him into doing something.

Mark laughed. "Oh, how can I not be persuaded by such a concise and compelling argument?"

"If Jacen is using a Sith technique, he should be warned." Ben paused. "There's something else. Dad said when he was talking to Jacen today in the Temple he thought he felt Palpatine and Lumiya's presence."

Mark's head shot up and he started coughing on his drink. "Lumiya and Palpatine!"

"Yes, although he thought Palpatine's presence felt like …well, like you… Mom and Dad said they sometimes could feel the trace of Palpatine's presence lingering within your Force essence."

Mark stared at his nephew for a long moment. "There's a trace of Palpatine lingering on me?" he said sounding perplexed. He smirked and then lifted his arms and sniffed his armpits. "Maybe I should change my deodorant."

"Knock it off, be serious"

"I am serious. I didn't know I felt like Palpatine in the Force. Why don't my friends tell me these things?" Mark said looking perturbed. "I suppose when his memories were left in my brain it affected how I am perceived in the Force. Maybe I don't notice it because it's been part of me almost all my life."

"I wouldn't worry about it." He took another bite of steak and then pointed his fork at his uncle. "We really need to know if Jacen is messing around with dark side techniques. Try the Force stealth, but stop if you start to feel the dark side creeping in."

Mark sighed. "Fine." He closed his eyes in concentration.

Ben's eyes went wide when his Uncle's presence in the Force dimmed and then shut off completely. "Whoa, that's creepy."

"You can't sense me at all?" Mark asked.

"No, it's like you have your ysalamiri with you."

"Interesting, and I don't feel evil." He smiled at his nephew. "How are my eyes? Are they getting bloodshot and yellow?"

Ben looked him in the eyes. "No, but you should get them dyed again. They are looking more blue than green."

"Yeah, I need to get my beard and hair dyed also. I don't want to start looking like an overgrown version of your father."

"Why not, your son Talon looks more like my dad than I do."

Mark smirked. "Well, if my kids did end up with red hair and green eyes I would need to have a long talk with Kira."

Ben laughed as he dug back into his steak. "Please uncloak yourself, it feels weird sitting next to a Force void. It's different around the ysalamiri because we are both Force blind. This is just eerie."

"How this?"

Ben could feel his Uncle reappear in the Force. "Better. I guess we don't need to worry about Jacen if he isn't using a dark side technique," he said as he took another bite of steak.

"Sure," Mark said softly.

Ben looked up at his uncle. He didn't sound so confident.

Mark gave Ben a furtive glance. "You're Dad doesn't think I have anything to do with Lumiya, does he?"

"I don't think so; why would he?"

Mark gave a sour smile. "Ben, your Dad feels the presence of Palpatine with Lumiya- and now you tell me I have the dark Force stench of Palpatine on me. If I were your dad I would be suspicious. And it would make sense. I don't know how many people know about my run in with the Emperor and its unfortunate side effects, but if Lumiya did know, maybe she would want to turn me…to find out what secrets I keep."

Ben stared at his uncle and former Master. "What secrets are you keeping?" he said in a hushed tone.

Mark gazed at his nephew ominously. "It's dark knowledge of life, death and depravity so appalling it would turn your blood cold. His memories are like something rotting within me—a dark and damp stain within my soul. It's a malignant, foul interloper infesting my mind that continuously tries to draw me to that shadowy place…a place of horror. Horror!" The last word came out loud and menacing making Ben jump in his seat.

"Really," the younger man asked wide-eyed.

Mark made a face. "No." He laughed. "Ha! I wish you could see the look on your face."

"Gods, you're such a jerk." Ben groused as he continued to eat.

"Sorry," he said with a chuckle, but then his tone turned somber. "Seriously though, the memories are unpleasant, but I try to compartmentalize and block them out," he gave Ben a determined look. "And they will remain secret. Palpatine's knowledge will die with me. I have told your mother and father that more than once. The Emperor was one of the most powerful Sith Lords in recent times. His knowledge is dangerous." He pushed the food around his plate while in thought. "And to be honest, sometimes it does scare me."

"What scares you?"

"Knowing you have the power of life or death at your finger tips…literally."

They sat in silence for a moment, both deep in thought.

Eventually Mark looked over at Ben's plate and half eaten steak. "Eat up, don't you have a date tonight?"

"Where did you hear that?" Ben was becoming exasperated that everybody seemed to know his business all the time.

"Kira told me and I think your mother told her. So tell me about your date." Ben groaned making Mark laugh. "Ben, I can see getting that reaction from you when you were my young teen apprentice, but you are in your late twenties. You're too old to be getting embarrassed." He stabbed another piece of meat with his fork. "Is she a Jedi?"

Ben shook his head. "She's the daughter of a Senator."

Mark grimaced. "Politician's kids are never good. They'll end up bossing you around…just ask your Uncle Han." He laughed good-naturedly. "Is she human?" he asked, his voice taking on a familiar teasing tone.

"What? Of course she's human."

Mark chuckled. "Hey, I used to hear rumors that your dad had an eye for Twi'leks when he flew in Rogue squadron."

"Ugh! Even if he did, I would rather not think about dad dating anybody else prior to Mom."

Mark snickered. "I heard Wes Janson spent the night with a Female Bothan."

"Where do you hear these rumors?"

"I think your dad told your mom who told my wife…who told me. Keeping a secret around here is difficult."

"If not impossible," Ben said.

"Difficult, but obviously not impossible," He finished his steak and smiled. "Okay I'll drop it. It's not like I was going to ask for details from my nephew. I just wanted to know what she's like."

"This is our first date. It's probably not going to go anywhere," he said with an air of resignation.

Mark set his fork down and looked at Ben confused. "And why is that?"

Ben tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. "It just seems that women want to date me because who my father is, not because they like me. When they introduce me to friends it's like, 'This is Ben Skywalker'. Ben emphasized his surname.

"Maybe you are going the wrong places to meet women," Mark said with a smirk. "I found Imperial Detention Centers are a good location to pick up the ladies. You just break in and say, 'I'm here to rescue you', that's how I met your Aunt Kira."

Ben scoffed. "With my luck it would be more like what happened to Dad and Aunt Leia. I'd end finding a long lost older sister from Dad's rogue days."

Mark laughed. "I guess if you run into a detention cell and see a human/Twi'lek hybrid prisoner with a Skywalker resemblance…don't date her."

Ben snorted in amusement then smiled sadly. "I should just give up and become a celibate Jedi monk."

Mark looked at his nephew in stunned disbelief. "Gods no! And don't let your parents hear that. I'm pretty sure they are looking forward to bouncing little redheaded grandchildren on their knees."

Ben pushed the food around his plate, "Maybe."

Mark leaned forward and spoke in a reassuring warm voice. "Ben, I know it is tough finding that special someone when you're a Jedi. You never know if they are in love with you or the Jedi persona. My boys have had their hearts broken a number of times. But you can't give up looking. You have to take the risk and be willing to sacrifice your heart for love. Believe me, love doesn't come without sacrifices." He gave his nephew a sincere smile. "No more depressing talk. Let's order dessert."

Ben smiled broadly. "That sounds good. Chocolate will always be my one true love."

Mark gave him a wink. "And the only sacrifice it requires is the size of your waistline."