Chapter 22

15 Years Later…

It took a few minutes for them to catch their breath as they lay in each other's arms. Neither one of them was as young as they used to be, but a fire still burned between them that couldn't be extinguished.

Luna sighed contentedly and snuggled closer as he stroked her silky dark hair. He traced his fingers along the one streak of silver that had developed directly above her left eye. It gave her a sexy, sophisticated look and he told her so even though she didn't believe him.

"Ready to go again?" he murmured softly against her ear as he nibbled the sensitive skin beneath.

She almost gave in but suddenly began to struggle out of his grasp and giggled as he tried pulling her back into bed.

"I'd love to, but I think we'd better get dressed. Jinn will be back soon."

Drat! He'd forgotten. Jinn had borrowed the speeder and gone to Anchorhead to get a new part for her data pad which had refused to work for the past several days. She had been gone all morning and, he realized as he looked at the chrono, would probably be back any time. Much as he hated to admit it, Luna was right. He began to retrieve his clothes from the floor.

As he dressed he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Unlike Luna, Obi-Wan never used much sunscreen and due to Tatooine's harsh environment he looked several years older than he really was. His hair and beard had turned completely white and, he noticed with dismay, his waist had grown decidedly soft around the middle. Too many of Luna's delicious meals and too little exercise. He turned sideways and looked at himself critically. This would never do! He was a Jedi Master after all. Starting tomorrow he'd start to get back in shape. He'd get his lightsaber out and…

Just then Luna came up behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him sweetly on the cheek.

"Don't worry about that." she said and gently turned his head so he was looking into her fathomless green eyes. "To me you'll always be the most handsome man in the galaxy. I love you just as you are."

He smiled and lifted one eyebrow skeptically before replying. "It's lovely to hear you say so, but it's not my looks I'm concerned about." He shook his head and continued. "I'm getting terribly out of shape. What if something happened? What if you or Jinn or Luke was threatened in some way and I couldn't defend you? I really have let myself go."

Luna turned to pick up her dress and began to button it before she answered.

"Oh, come on! It's not that bad. Besides, thanks to your instruction, Jinn and I can take care of ourselves very nicely. And Luke…." she paused thoughtfully before continuing. "It looks more and more like Luke is going to spend the rest of his life moisture farming. If things continue the way they are I doubt he'll ever even leave the planet." She stopped what she was doing and looked at him curiously, "Do you really believe something still might happen? It's been almost 20 years now."

He had to admit, he'd been wondering the same thing a few days ago. Was all of his time in exile for nothing? Had he spent years training with Qui-Gon for no reason? Surely not. But still…Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows and thought for a moment as he tucked in his tunic and zipped his trousers. He shook his head to clear away the doubts and reminded himself that it was irrelevant what happened. His mission was to watch over Luke and if it was Luke's destiny to be a moisture farmer, then so be it.

"I don't know, my dear." he replied. "It seems unlikely, but you can never be sure what the future may hold. Besides, things often happen when you least expect them to."

The sound of and approaching speeder caught their attention and drew them to the window. Jinn was back. He smiled as he watched his daughter smartly pilot the vehicle across the sand. She was beautiful and loving and kind like Luna, but there was a bookish studiousness about her that came straight from him. She was also very strong in the Force. He had been instructing her since she was a small child.

She parked the vehicle next to the house and leaped out, running for the door at full speed. They could hear her overjoyed shouts before she entered the living room.

"I got it! I got it!" Jinn yelled as she burst through the door waving her data pad in the air triumphantly.

"Good. I know you've been wanting to get that fixed for days." Luna said. "Did you happen to pick up the groceries I sent for? There was a special on…"

"No! No! Not the data pad." Jinn shook her head. "I mean, yes I did get the part I needed, but when I replaced the old one I was able to check my messages and I finally got an answer! I GOT IN!"

Obi-Wan and Luna looked at each other. Several weeks ago, Jinn had applied for admission to the University of Charmath. She had exhausted all the local educational opportunities at the end of last season finishing secondary school with top grades in every subject. They were both so proud of her! But what to do next? As the days after graduation wore on, it was obvious Jinn couldn't just sit around the house with nothing to do.

Luna had been the one who first brought up the idea of sending her to University. Jinn lit up with interest and begged them to let her go. At first Obi-Wan was dead-set against it. It was far too dangerous. What if someone found out who she was? What if she slipped up and someone found out she was Force sensitive? While all of these were legitimate concerns, he quietly kept the real reason to himself. He couldn't bear the thought of having his beloved only daughter halfway across the galaxy. He would miss her too much

Luna, on the other hand, was much more practical. One by one, she helped him work through his objections. Jinn was aware of the state of the galaxy and knew what would happen if anyone found out she was Force sensitive or that her father was a Jedi, she said. She had gone all the way through school here and no-one had ever been suspicious. They would simply register her using the name Jinn Merris as they had at the schools here. It was her middle name after all, so it wasn't a total lie. Also, wasn't it a good idea to let her have a little freedom so she could begin to learn how to get by on her own? They wouldn't be around to protect her forever, you know.

He knew that Luna was right. He also meditated for hours about it and found that the Force seemed to be in a state of harmony on the subject. Even so, he still stubbornly refused to let her apply and Jinn, who didn't understand and thought he was being unreasonable, was furious. There was rarely discord in the Kenobi household, but this caused several ugly arguments between father and daughter that ended with angry words, slammed doors, and tears.

All the disagreement weighed heavily on Obi-Wan's mind. He tried to tell himself that it was all for the best and that she would understand someday, but that was cold comfort. Then one afternoon he came upon Jinn watching the suns set. It was a sight that always filled him with contentment and wonder, but she looked so despondent and sad that it made his heart ache. All she wanted to do was to get an education and attend University like all the others her own age. Was that so wrong? Keeping her here while everyone else left was cruel. A girl as bright as Jinn deserved so much more from life than to live in a small house on the edge of the Jundland Wastes. As he stood watching her, the light slowly faded away and by the time the stars came out he had finally changed his mind.

"You know, the sunsets on Charmath aren't nearly as beautiful as this. That will take some getting used to I think." Obi-Wan said as he stepped up behind Jinn and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I thought I wasn't going to Charmath." she looked up at him curiously.

"Yes, well, I may have been a bit too hasty in my refusal." Obi-Wan sat down next to her. "I've thought about it some more and I'm afraid you'll have to forgive me, my dear. I only want what's best for you but sometimes, because I love you so much, I get that mixed up with what's best for me. I'm going to miss you terribly, but if you really want to go, I think you should apply."

"You really mean it?" A smile lit up Jinn's beautiful face.

"Yes. I really mean it."

Now she stood before them reading her acceptance letter. She was supposed to start classes in a standard month. As she chattered away he began picturing her as she was the first time he had held her. She had been so tiny and helpless and he had loved her with every fiber of his being. Then she appeared as a gap-toothed 6 year old giggling as she levitated the cookie jar off the top shelf of the cupboard. When had it happened? When had his sweet baby girl grown into such a beautiful, smart young woman? Obi-Wan drew a shaky breath and plastered on a bright smile and hoped he had done the right thing to encourage her to go.

…

The month went by in a flash. Before he knew it, Obi-Wan stood beside his wife and daughter at the station in Mos Espa. Hot wind ruffled Jinn's dark hair as she looked at the shuttle she was about to board with her mother. Equal parts excitement and apprehension saturated her Force signature.

"I wish I could go with you." he said to Jinn hoping to ease her nerves. "Space travel has never been one of my favorite pastimes, but I would so enjoy seeing your reaction the first time you experience the jump to hyperspace." She nodded but didn't speak.

"We'll contact you as soon as we reach Charmath." Luna reassured him. "Once I get Jinn settled, I'll be back on the first available transport."

He nodded. "I'll be here. I can't wait to hear all about your experiences."

Just then an announcement came over the public address system informing them that the shuttle was preparing to leave in five minutes. Luna glanced at the large chrono above the ticket counter and frowned. "It's time to go Jinn. We don't want to miss our connection. Say goodbye to your father."

Jinn, who had been very quiet since they arrived at the station, threw her arms around Obi-Wan's neck and sobbed into his shoulder. "Oh, Papa! I'm going to miss you so much!"

Obi-Wan held her tightly and swallowed the lump in his throat as he sent waves of comfort and love to his daughter. Oh, how he would miss her!

"I shall miss you too! But cheer up. This isn't a time to be sad! You'll love the University. Think of all the things you'll learn!"

"But Charmath is such a long way from here!" Jinn exclaimed.

"Look at this as an adventure. Trust in the Force my dear and everything will turn out as it should."

She nodded and sniffed loudly before drying her tears and giving him a watery smile. "I know. Goodbye Papa. I love you!"

"Goodbye my darling girl. I love you more than you'll ever know. May the Force be with you."

Jinn slowly boarded the shuttle as Obi-Wan turned to Luna. He took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

"Take care my darling. Please be careful. I won't rest until I know you are both safe."

"I will. I'll come back to you as soon as I possibly can."

They shared one sweet final kiss before Luna walked up the steps to join Jinn on the shuttle.

They all waved as the door between them closed with a whoosh leaving Obi-Wan standing alone on the platform. He watched as the shuttle prepared for take off and lifted into the sky. Luna and Jinn's presence in the Force became more and more faint as the ship rose into the sky. The last thing he felt from them both before it broke through the atmosphere was I love you.

I love you too! He sent as the shuttle finally disappeared from sight.