Chapter 16

Obi-Wan parked the speeder outside the hut and got out slowly. He stretched, trying to ease the sore muscles in his back that were stiff from hours of riding. How glad he was to be back! He was in a celebratory mood. The crisis on Polis Massa had been averted, and Luke was safe once more. He looked around feeling a bit surprised that Luna hadn't come out to meet him. He really hoped she was home. After last night's escapades through the Force, he was feeling very tightly wound.

Just as he approached the door, a small blond head peeked out. What was Luke doing here? He ran up to Obi-Wan with a bright happy grin and waved at him. "HI!" He shouted before turning and running back inside.

Obi-Wan shook his head and laughed to himself. It was impossible not to in the presence of such a charming little boy. Inside the hut he found Luna and Beru sitting at the table having tea while Luke played on the floor.

"Ben!" Luna leaped to her feet and threw herself into his arms. He laughed, spinning her around and kissing her soundly. He was so glad to see her, he didn't even feel self-conscious in front of Beru, who stood and greeted him warmly.

"Well, what's all this then?" He asked once everyone had settled down a bit.

"I invited Beru and Luke over for the afternoon so that we could get to know each other better." Luna replied. "We are neighbors after all."

"Yes. I'm so glad you did. We will have to do it again soon. It is so nice to have another woman close by for a change!" She glanced around for Luke who was looking at some picture books Luna had pulled up on her data pad for him. "We should be going though or I'll be late getting dinner ready for Owen. We've had a very nice time, haven't we Luke?" She ruffled the boys hair. "What do you say, sweetheart?"

Luke stopped what he was doing and walked over to Luna. He held the data pad up to her and said very politely, "Thank you very much!" It was quite a mouthful for such a little one.

"We've been working on our manners." Beru said in a stage whisper.

Luna knelt down and took the data pad from him. "You are very welcome Luke. Come see me again soon!"

"Soon!" He giggled and threw his arms around her neck.

"Alright young one. Time to go." Obi-Wan picked him up and tossed him in the air, tickling him under the arms as he caught him. He squealed with laughter as he was handed to Beru. Off they went back down the path towards the Lars farm. Luke turned around in her arms and waved. "Bye-bye!" he yelled over her shoulder as they rounded the corner that took them out of sight.

Obi-Wan turned to Luna once they were out of sight and pulled her into his arms. She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss.

"Welcome back!" She whispered and began trailing kisses down his neck. "I missed you."

He closed his eyes and relished the sensation. Having been sent on hundreds of missions over his career as a Jedi he had been through many homecomings, but being missed was a new experience. What a wonderful feeling to have someone who really cared if he came back!

…

That afternoon they lay in bed discussing what had happened during his trip. He described finding Karis, and the fight that had ensued. Luna listened with interest to the whole story and asked questions as he went.

"So, you took away his memories of what happened and then sent him back to Coruscant on autopilot?"

"Yes. He should be almost home by now I imagine." Luna had snuggled under his arm with her head on his shoulder. He began threading his fingers through her silky hair.

"I wonder what happened when he came around?" She asked.

"Why?"

"Well, I imagine he must have been really confused waking up alone on a ship in hyperspace with no idea how he got there." She started to giggle. It was rather humorous come to think of it. Before long they were laughing merrily.

"So what were you and Beru talking about before I came in? How did you get her to visit?"

"I spent three days out in the suns watching them from that ridge. I finally couldn't stand the heat any longer so I went down and introduced myself." At this Obi-Wan opened his mouth to say something, but she stopped him. "Don't worry. I didn't tell her about the dream. I just said that I was your girlfriend. She thought it was a social call and she was so nice I asked her to come over for the afternoon. We spent most of the time talking about you actually. Were your ears burning?"

"Me? What did she say? What did you say?" He looked slightly horrified.

"She told me what I already know."

"Which is?"

"That you're a wonderfully kind and caring man who has done everything he can to protect his best friend's son. And that you want to help Luke but her husband is too stubborn and pig-headed to let you. If it was just up to her I think she'd let you train him in a minute."

"She said that?" Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up.

"Well no, not exactly. But I could read between the lines." She looked up at him and smiled suggestively. "She said something else too."

"What was that, pray tell?" He looked at her curiously.

"That you're crazy about me." Luna giggled.

"Is that so?" He tried to hide a smile, but failed miserably.

"Yes. I believe the actual word she used was besotted."

"Besotted?" He raised one eyebrow. "I didn't realize Beru was so indiscreet. In the future I'll be more careful what I say to her."

"You're not mad are you?" Luna asked. He quickly flipped her over, pressing her back into the mattress and pinning her hands.

"How could I be upset. It is the truth, after all." He gazed into her clear green eyes. In their depths he saw beauty and love, peace and hope and light all reflecting back at him and he realized something. Everything was going to be alright. He had experienced a lifetimes worth of hurt and sorrow and uncertainty during the last year, but he had put his trust in the Force. In return he had received something totally unexpected. It was more than he'd ever imagined or even dared hope for.

Now the future stretched ahead of him. There were more perils and hardships coming, he was certain of that. He thought of Luke, just on the brink of discovering his powers and his uncle standing in the way of the training he so desperately needed. It wouldn't be easy to get past Owen's prejudices. There was also the ever present threat of discovery by the Empire. But, with Luna at his side and his trust in the Force, he could face anything.

He ground his hips against her letting her feel his excitement and kissed her until she was breathless taking great satisfaction in her swollen lips and the dazed expression on her face. He leaned close, his breath hot on her ear and whispered, "Now then, I'll show you besotted!"

THE END

….

Thank you so much to all of you who have read and reviewed my story. It's the first thing I've written in ages and all your support helped me push through the harder sections to finish this. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you would like a sequel please let me know. I have some ideas, and if I get enough feed back I'll get started on one. I reply to everyone who reviews. May the Force be with you! :)

*Obviously I don't own any of the Star Wars characters. They all belong to Disney. This was written for fun and nothing more.