Beyond - Legends After Her - Update 01/19/16

@Jade_eyes, @masterjeedaiansari, @ccp, @Briannakin

Note:. I've been trying to sort out the next chapter for the New Generation, and while I was still trying to figure the rest of that one, I decided to write another one for After Her.

I'd also like to thank Jedi_Lover for helping me out with this chapter. She was of great help

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Chapter 21​

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He had left her alone, his light robes swishing as he headed out of the gardens. His boots clicking against the stone floor as his figure vanished from sight.

“I’ll send someone.” He promised. “I’m afraid I can’t see you out myself.”

A young raven-haired woman approached her. By the look of her outfit, Diana presumed she was an apprentice.

“Master Skywalker asked that I see you out.” She gestured. “This way please.”

Diana nodded and followed her out of the garden back to where she’d come from.

“So, I suppose I’ll need to make another appointment with him.” She turned to the apprentice. “How would I go about doing that?” Diana examined the young woman. “Please forgive me, but I don’t think I’ve asked your name.

The girl looked at her. “Gail.” She paused for a moment. “And I believe you would need to contact the P.A. department, or however you obtained the interview to begin with.”

“I suppose that would be with the Grand Master himself.” Diana murmured. “Is there a comm code I could call to get in touch with him?” She wasn’t sure if an apprentice would have such information—but it was worth a shot.

“There might be, but I wouldn’t know it personally. You’ll have to speak to the P.A.”

Diana cursed inwardly.

The Grand Master had been forthright and amiable. She wasn’t sure how many sort of hoops she’d have to jump through for the Order’s Public Affairs Department.

“Where would I find the P.A. office?”

“I wouldn’t know that, Ma’am.”

She sighed. Drat.

“I’m sorry I can’t help.”

“That’s all right, Gail.” She straightened up. “I’ll figure it out.”

----​

“All right, I’m here what’s going on?” Luke walked into the council chambers only to find Corran Horn resting against his chair. “Corran?” He frowned, repeating, “What’s going on?”

Corran raised his brows. “You didn’t need me to bail you out.”

“Pardon?”

“Well, I heard a certain blonde bombshell cornered you in the gardens? And given the fact I’m such a good friend, I decided to get you out of it.”

Luke sighed. “And where exactly did you hear that?”

“I have my sources.”

“She’s a reporter.”

“Oh, I know that, and that’s why I needed to get you away from her.”

“You wanted to get me away from a reporter?” He repeated dryly. “What did you think she was going to do?”

“That’s the thing is I don’t know what she’s up to and I don’t like it.”

“What’re you getting at, Corran?”

“Well, I decided to do a little digging on her...you know I wouldn’t do it unless I thought it was necessary. I don’t like what I found.”

“Corran, stop beating around the bush and tell me.”

“Look, friend,” Corran laid back. “I’m not trying to burst your bubble or ruin anything you’re trying to do, but that woman...”

“Diana Landon.”

The other Master nodded. “She’s been said to have been sighted with several well-known men—all well-over the age of sixty.”

Luke took a seat finally as if processing this new information.

“What else?” He asked.

“What else?” Corran repeated, clearly confused.

“Yes, what else. You have to give me something more than that. Is she a gold-digger…a blackmailer…what?”

“No, she’s not a gold-digger. She doesn’t’ appear to be interested in that sort of thing. She’s never accepted anything given to her by her…partners. As for blackmailer…I can’t find out anything on that end.” He got up, walked over, and handed Luke a datapad. “She seems to genuinely enjoy being in the presence of older men. I can’t find a reason behind it, but she does.”

Luke examined it. “And tell me why that warrants you investigating her and pulling me out of critical interview?”

“You tell me. Luke, we both know neither of us are young anymore, but she chose to set her sight on you. The Grand Master of the Order presents a pretty impressive target and Force knows, there’s not a woman around who hasn’t hinted they’d like to be the next Mrs. Skywalker.”

“That’s because they don’t know what it entails.” He said tightly. “So what do you think she wants?”

“That’s what I want to figure out. Put off the next interview until I can figure it out.”

Luke seemed to ponder this. “No, that won’t help anything.” He passed the datapad back to Corran. “I’ll figure out what she’s up to myself. I’m far removed from a senior citizen that’s easy prey.” He got up, and at the look in Corran’s eye, assured, “I’ll be careful. I promise I won’t be walking willingly into the spider’s web.”

“This isn’t funny, Luke.”

“You’re right it isn’t.”

----​

Luke arrived at his room and sat down at his comm station. He could have easily have gotten Corran to look into it further but he decided that he would figure this out by himself. He didn’t need to be protected. He immediately commed Diana, hoping that she would pick up. The fastest way to get his answers was to get another interview.

Perhaps a dinner would put her off-guard.

“Diana,” She answered.

“Ms. Landon. This is Luke Skywalker.”

“Yes, Master Skywalker.” He couldn’t but feel weird when she said that.

“I’m sorry I had to cut our interview so short; seems it was a false alarm. Are you far away from the Temple?”

“Already aboard a tram actually—but I could come back.”

“No, that’s already. How about tonight? Dinner?”

“Dinner?” She sounded confused, yet surprised.

“Yes, that way we won’t be interrupted during the interview. I’ll eve turn off my comm.” He paused. “How does that sound?”

The other end was silent for a while.

It seemed he’d caught her off guard indeed. Although he wasn’t sure if what Corran said was sure, or she just hadn’t been expecting an interviewee to ask her out.

He’d let her jump to any conclusion she wanted—see what her game was.

“Ms. Landon?”

“Sorry, I was checking my date planner. That sounds fine. Where and what time?”

“1900 at the Naboo Café.”

“Sounds good."

She’d probably be looking into the dress code. Her dress would determine what she was up to.

“I’ll see you then.”

“Yes, until later.”

The comm went dead.

And the snare has been set.

----​

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It was a quarter to the time he’d planned for the interview/dinner. Luke entered the café and was escorted to a far table in the back away from prying eyes. He admitted that this route he’d taken was more than a bit dangerous. Extreme conclusion could be jumped to on her part and those of others, but he was curious as to what Diana Landon had in mind. He didn’t doubt that she had been assigned to interview him, but what he didn’t know is whether she had alternative motives as well.

Diana arrived a few minutes later, also early.

She was wearing a salmon-colored blouse and charcoal pants, her hair pulled up into a pony tail. She carried with her a business like attaché case instead of her reporter’s satchel. She was being guided to their table by a native Nubian server. The server slid a menu onto the table and informed them that she’d been back to take their order later.

“Wine spritizer.” Diana instructed.

He’d ordered water while he had been waiting for her.

“I hope you don’t mind. When you told me the Naboo Café, I remember they had a good spritzer.”

“That’s fine.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be able to handle it. I really want to continue this interview.Now,” She looked around briefly. “Shall we order?”

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The snare has been set. HA! I didn't know Luke had a rope fetish. Sorry...nice update.

 

Looking forward to dinner conversation

 

Yep. I loved writing it I love Corran's part.

 

Looking forward to the "conversation". Great update.

 

I think that poor Luke might be in for a bit of a surprise....

 

Great update!

 

Thanks to all for reading this story: Jedi_Lover, Briannakin, Jade_eyes, SHADOW_MASTER_W, ccp

Jedi_Lover: You forgot my His Dirty Little Secret story didn't you? lol
Jade_eyes, Briannakin: You're in for a treat!
SHADOW_MASTER_W: He might, but so might she.. *grins*
ccp: Thanks!

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Chapter 22​

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After they had placed their orders and the waiter had come by with herwine spritzer and a basket of complimentary breadsticks, Diana decided to begin the interview. She unsnapped her attaché case and reached inside for her datapad and recorder. He had picked a secluded spot so there would be no sound interference from the other patrons. She placed both on the table.

“Now, we can do this now or after the meal.”

Her demeanor was professional so far; nothing too far amiss.

He responded, “Now’s fine. It’ll give us something to do until our food gets here.”

She nodded and turned on the datapad. Diana studied the notes from the previous session for a bit before, placing her finger on the recorder button and turning to look at him.

“I’m about to record this session like I did before. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good, let’s get started then.” She cleared her throat. “Master Skywalker, you’ve mentioned two particular beings when you speak about the Force, an Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. These two beings you speak of were both your masters, correct?”

“That’s correct. Both trained me at different points in my life of course.” He took a drink of his water. “Obi-Wan was my first master, but I knew him as Ben Kenobi, I had since I was a boy, and continued to call him that for awhile. It wasn’t till later I learned that Ben was serving as my silent guardian, he was always watching me, and making sure I grew up right.” He looked at Diana head on. “He was there to protect me just in case anything should happen. I suppose that’s where it started to go bad though...”

“How did it go bad?” Diana inserted.

“Obi-Wan had started to make his presence more known to me, more so when I was approaching my teenage years. My uncle didn’t particular care for him, and warned him away from me several times. It wasn’t until I was much older than I understood why he felt that way. I was always an idealistic person, had my head constantly in the clouds as my uncle would say. I had dreams of ascending to the stars and becoming a great pilot.”

He gave a melancholy smile. “I’m afraid my big dreams and wild ideas frightened my uncle. I was too much like my father and Uncle Owen feared that if I followed Obi-Wan, and followed my father’s path I would end up destroyed the same way Anakin was. My uncle blamed the Jedi Order for my father’s destruction and transformation to Darth Vader. He didn’t want me to suffer the same fate as my father did. I use to always think he was being too hard-nosed and unfair; but I realize now that he was just doing it to protect me.

“Of course at the time, that revelation came too late.” A hint of sadness entered his eyes. “I had been chasing down a droid that carried the Death Star plans. Little did I know that at the time that that little R2 unit carried something so valuable; that the message he conveyed from the Princess Organa could have such an impact of my life. I never imagined what would happen that day.” He took a breath, pausing for a moment. “By the time I came back from Ben’s hut, it was already too late; my aunt and uncle had been killed by the Stormtroopers sent to retrieve the droids.” He had closed his eyes as he spoke the last part, head slightly bowed.

Diana gazed at him with concerned eyes.

“Do you want to stop?” She asked gently.

He opened them. “No, I’ll be all right. Thank you.”

He eyed her, noting her expression and the tone in her voice. If she was acting some would say she was doing a good job, but he didn't sense any deceit from her.

“Are you sure?”

She looked over him. Here sat a man hammered by life, a man who had experienced pain over and over again. His life had been altered by that one horrid event...

“But I’m stronger because of it; I’m who I am because of it.” Luke said, as if reading her mind. “Even as horrible as it was to lose them both that way, I would have never have left Tatooine. I would have never become a Jedi, and the Jedi Order would still be extinct. I don’t regret my life, Ms. Landon, no matter how much pain some portions of it bore.”

In his eyes, she could see resoluteness in those steely blues.

She saw the truth—she saw an indomitable man.

It was then that their appetizers arrived.

Diana depressed the record button and silently thanked whatever force was in work. Despite what the man said, she was grateful to have some lull time.

Luke had ordered stuffed peppers and he was cutting into one with his fork when he noticed she hadn’t touched her appetizer. “Is something wrong?”

“No, you just seem…” She fiddled with her meat skewers. “So….I can’t describe it. It’s like you have this aura around you. It’s almost tangible…like I can see it…or feel it."

Something clicked right then as he raised his fork to his mouth.. See it…feel it. This aura. Her words repeated inside his skull. An aura she could see and feel. He worked the phrasing over in his head. Could it be? He shook his head inwardly. No, he must be imagining things. Her words had obviously been a figment of speech.

He’d known many people he could have said the same thing about in his lifetime, and that hadn’t required anything except his own awareness.

“Master Skywalker?” Diana inquired. “Are you all right?” She had stopped in the middle of sliding the meat off the skewer.

“What?” Luke looked into her hazel eyes. “Oh, yes I’m fine. Sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment. You were saying something about an aura.”

Diana shook her head. “Forget it, I feel ridiculous mentioning it. I must sound like some fangirl or something.” She paused. “But it helps me understand why people react to the way they do; why people look up to you; why they respect you; why they want to be around you. My mama use to say the worth of a man is in the friends he has.” She stopped put down her food. “She use to tell me stories about Luke Skywalker, I use to doubt such a man could exist. I thought he was some sort of legend, one of those myths you here about. Now, I know it’s true. “

Her eyes sought his again and she found a surprised look on his face. She’d said too much. She cursed. Great now she really did sound like was star struck groupie.
She could almost feel her face heating up.

Diana got to her feet. “Excuse me; I need to use the ‘fresher.”

“Um, okay.” Luke trailed off, watching her leave.

.​

​

Diana found her way to the ladies room. Thankfully it was bereft of beings. She walked up to the sink, placing her hands on it, and stared at herself in the mirror.

“Now, I know it’s true.” She repeated, sounding disgusted with herself.

Could she have sounded anymore like a Jedi groupie? She turned on the water and splashed water on her face in hopes to banish the visible flush that had spread across her cheeks. She had told herself she would remain professional, that she would do her job without her own personal feelings getting in the way. But when she had heard the tone in his voice and saw the truth in those breathtaking baby blues, she’d automatically lost.

Truth be told, she didn’t quite understand what she was feeling. She hadn’t been lying when she said he’d had this aura about him. She could feel it, like it was an electrical current coursing through a wire. She placed her hand across her heart, it was beating at a normal pace now and the red tint had gone from her face.

She took a cloth towel from the basket and gently patted herself. When she was done, she looked back at her reflection in the mirror.

“I have got to get a hold of myself.” She whispered fiercely. “I am a grown woman, not some stupid teenager and certainly not some blasted groupie.”

She set the towel down and stepped back from the sink, examining herself. She proceeded to fix her hair and rearrange her bangs which had become mussed when she’d splashed her face with water.

She took a deep breath.

"You can do this.” She spoke, looking at herself in the mirror. “He’s just a man—granted a very impressive man—but just a man. You’re a professional, Diana; the greatest reporter for the Coruscant Times.” She smiled, feeling her confidence rise. “I’m ready.”

Diana turned around and headed out of the refresher, bypassing another woman as she did.

.​

Luke checked his chrono again. It had been five minutes.

When Diana had gotten up abruptly from their table, all he could do was sit there dumbfounded by it. He had to admit her words had seemed unusually praiseful despite her professional demeanor, but he didn’t see as any different than… No, that was wrong. Her words had been different from others he’d met. Most people he’d met had treated him as a celebrity and their reaction when they met him was usually pure unadulterated idol worship; the endless gushing, the constant tripping over words, the common questions.

But this was different; it was way different from how he imaged it might go when he made this “date” with her. She didn’t treat him like some god when she praised him, but as a human being. Her words and actions were honest, there was no manipulation, no playing up to him. Truth be told he wasn’t exactly sure what to think about her reaction. Other than his friends, only one other woman had treated him similarly.

Luke was aware Melinda Rotham and Diana Landon were two different women. Their age difference was vastly different as was their personalities. There was one thing that however made them similar and that was their treatment of him.

Yes, she had both exceeded his expectations and left him completely reeling at the same time.

“I’m sorry.”Diana murmured, interrupting his musings.

He picked his head up and watched her walk up to their table. She took a seat across from him like before.

“What for?” He asked, though he did have a vague suspicion.

“Well, for getting up so suddenly, but mostly for my conduct.” She sighed, pushing her hair off her shoulder. “My behavior was unfitting for a professional such as myself. I do hope you’ll forgive me, Master Skywalker.”

Luke smiled disarmingly. “It’s all right, Ms. Landon.” As she was about to speak again, he shook his head. “It’s all right. I won’t tell; I promise.”

She lifted her chin, smirking, “I’ll hold you to that, Grand Master.”

**​

 

Bravo on superb insights and characterization into Luke. You really know him supremely well. I don't blame Diana for enthusing ... just a bit Such inner resilience and non-bitter outlook are downright admirable, all the more so for being rare to find in one whose been wrung out and left to dry more than once. !! Let the record show: Emerald writes stellar dialogue.

 

Ha! The Grand Master has women flocking to him. The Silver Fox is a player!

 

Silver Fox, lol I like that.

 

As much as I dislike Diana, I must say, I can relate to her. Great update

 

Luke is pretty enthralling. I was trying not to go for all fangirl...but he pretty much impresses a lot of people I think, so there was no way I could avoid the admiration. Plus, she's not admiring based on rumors and word of mouth, but what she's actually experiencing herself. And I think that's what sets her apart from any groupie/fangirl

 

Thanks to all who are keeping up and having patiently waited: Jade_eyes, Jedi_Lover, Briannakin, @SHADOW_MASTER_W, @ccp.

When last we left off, Diana is charmed by Luke, but is Luke totally taken in by her...let's see:

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Chapter 23​

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After that had been said, Luke encouraged them to continue with their appetizers before they got cold. It was an awkward type of silence since other than the interview they didn’t have a thing to talk about.

“So, Ms. Landon.” Luke said, taking a sip from his glass of water. “How long have you been a journalist?”

Diana smiled. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve already had me researched, Master Skywalker.”

He hadn’t been expecting that. There was an almost coy way in which she spoke just then. He wasn’t sure if it was an honest statement or if Landon was subtly fishing for information not related to the interview. He shook it off. No, that was Horn talking.

It would only be reasonable for someone to assume that a person in his position would look into things.

“Why would you say that?”He finally asked.

“Reporter’s hunch.”

He chuckled. He certainly knew a lot about hunches—mostly related to rogues and smugglers.

“Guilty.” He admitted. “But mostly the articles…the bare minimum.” Luke noticed a waiter making his wife over to their table—their dinner was arriving. “I prefer to get my information from face to face meetings.” It was true, what he knew of Diana Landon he would glean from this meeting. Oh, he could have easily gotten his friends to run a thorough background check on her, but he felt it unnecessary to do so.

“Is that so?”

“I think it’s better to judge a person yourself, then getting to know them through second hand sources.” His plate was set down in front of him. “Thank you,” He murmured before returning his attention to her.

“Like what we’re doing now?” Diana said, stabbing at her fish.

“Exactly,” he seemed to pause. “Though I’m afraid my background isn’t going to get any more interesting. It’s basically the same rhetoric you could find in any library or HoloNet source. I really don’t want to bore you with overly publicized details.”

He could see her mouth droop in a bit of disappointment. Then as if she was aware of his attentions, flashed him a smile. “Yes, you’re right. I do have all that information. Perhaps later on I can confirm it all with you.” She considered her wrist watch. “Then after we finish dinner I suppose we’ll go from there.”

“That would be acceptable.”

.​

​

.​

They decided once they were finished with the meal that they would continue the interview the next day. Diana said she would have to check her schedule and would give him a call back to give him a precise time. She would come to the Temple as she had today and they would meet in a different room, which he would have picked out by tomorrow, and from there they would take the interview.

“I think,” Diana consulted her datapad. “We’ll pick up where we left off; your personal feelings toward the reconstruction of the Order, the Jedi Order of today and its values and morals. What your mission statement is. Maybe even more about the Force if necessary. Does that sound good?”

“That sounds perfect.”

He and she parted; he waited as the reporter hailed a skytaxi. She waved once more before her taxi took off once more.

Luke stood there for a few minutes before heading back himself. He decided to huff it on foot. He really didn’t feel like calling a taxi for himself at this time of night and instead preferred to walk. It would give him plenty of time to think about the whole dinner. It was obvious the woman was…fascinated? Enamored? Of him. He couldn’t quite pin down the right word. He didn’t though get any vibes she was out for anything other than her story.

Though, he did recall the disappointment in her face when he’d begged off going further into background details. He wasn’t sure if it had been her reporter’s zealous nature or her obvious abject fascination of him that had brought about that look. It was obvious she had a mild case of hero worship. It wasn’t as present in adults these days, but it still lingered. He supposed it came from childhood idolism—which seemed to be true in Ms. Landon’s case.

When she had returned from the ‘fresher, she had obviously been nervous and slightly humiliated on account of her own behavior. He could feel her remorse even before she had spoken a word.

The question was, was there anything beside professionalism, behind that remorse?

​

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​

He arrived back at the Temple and retreated to his chambers. His mind was a jumble; the aftermath of his meeting with Diana Landon. Since there was no possibility of getting to sleep any time soon, he decided to get some work done.

He had been at it for a few hours, pouring over a handful of documents, when Ben came in with two bowls of stew. He carried the tray over and put his father’s small bowl on the corner of the desk.

“Thought you might like something to eat; you don’t exactly look well.”

He pulled up a chair, straddling it backward.

Luke gazed at the bowl of stew but waved it off. “I’ve eaten, but thanks.”

The boy’s face fell. “Ah, okay. More for me then.” He pulled it toward him. “So, how’d the interview go?” He asked after awhile, placing his tray on the desk.

“Good I think, though I had an unexpected emergency, and I had to reschedule it for tonight.”

“Oh?” Ben raised his eyebrow, picking up his spoon.

His father shuffled papers.

“Meanwhile I just have to wait for her to call again to schedule another interview. She had to check her day planner but she’s supposed to get back to me some time tonight.” He looked at his chrono. It was late. “Maybe I should call her.”

“Dad, she’ll call. Don’t look like a creepy old guy stalker.”

“Excuse me?”

Ben dipped his spoon into his bowl of stew. “Dad, you forget, I know what she looks like. You’re the interviewee, it’s her job to call you and you’re job is to wait. If you call her…”

“I’ll look like a creepy old guy stalker.”

“Exactly!” He took a spoonful of the stew. “People will start talking if you call her.”

Luke mulled this over. As much as he hated to admit it, Ben was right. He already had people harassing him over Melinda and Corran doing background checks on Diana. He really didn’t feel like adding fuel to the fire.

“You’re right.” He said grudgingly.

“I know.”

“Smartmouth.”

“Know that too. Get it from mom, or did you forget?”

“It’s pretty hard.” He sighed.

Ben cast him a sidelong glance. “Anyway, why are you so jittery about this woman calling back? It’s kind of weird.”

He pursed his lips in thought.

“Dad.”

Luke looked up, noting the hard look in Ben’s eyes. His son was not going to let him go that easily.

“Corran just said something that had my mind going into overdrive all though the dinner.”

“Master Horn?” Ben frowned. “ What for?” He lifted the spoon once more.”Wait, what dinner?”

“My interview with Ms. Landon.”

“Why did you have to have dinner with her?”

“To make up for this afternoon when Corran called me in on a false alarm.”

“Why’d he do that?”

Luke sighed heavily, frustrated. “That’s what I’ve been trying to explaining if you’d let me speak for one minute.”

Ben grinned sheepishly, then flipped his hand in a ‘proceed’ gesture.

“Apparently, Master Horn, is under the impression that Ms. Landon has vile designs on me.”

Ben nearly choked on the stew he was about to swallow.

“Ben!” Luke stood up.

He held his hand up, coughing to clear his windpipe of stew.

“I’m all right…but I think I just hallucinated. I thought you said Master Horn thought she had vile designs on you.”

“I did.”

Ben gave him a displeased look. “That’s not remotely funny.”

Luke deadpanned: “It’s not supposed to be.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” He shuddered. “That’s just too freakin’ creepy. I don’t want to even think about it.”

Luke popped a datadisk into a nearby datapad. “Yes, well as much as it pains you, you did ask.”

He received a dirty look.

“You could have spared me.”

“I could have.” Luke said jovially.

Ben sighed.

“Well, Master Horn was in CorSec.” He said slowly.”There might be some validity to his suspicions.”

“I’d rather not question someone based on suspicions, Ben. Ms. Landon has done nothing to show she is out for anything other than the true story about the Jedi Order.” Was that the truth? What about his own suspicions earlier this evening?

Did they not both have something to gain from this interview? He frowned as a slow heavy feeling set in his gut.

He looked up to find Ben eyeing him.

“You okay?"

“Just tired.” He said, giving a wan smile.

His son frowned, but did not push forward. “Just be careful,” He said after a moment. “If the paparazzo gets one whiff of this...”

Luke sighed. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, I don’t need any more people’s noses being stuck into my business than they already are. This article is one thing, the media is another...”

.​

 

Great update. I just love Ben in this. More soon please.

 

I enjoyed the tone between Luke and Ben. Teasing and serious in turn. I wonder if Luke and Diana will be pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised as things eventually turn out.

 

If that upsets Ben he better not get into the ginchy-shine. Nice update.

 

Would like to say, thanks for your patience. I love the scene with Ben and Luke too..which is why when I messed up previously I tried to find a way to keep that particular scene so I wouldn't have to scrap it. It's actually startling that I hadn't updated that since a month ago..

 

Briannakin: Yes, Ben is a joy...I just had to include that scene..I really didn't want to have to scrap it.
Jade_eyes: Father and son camaraderie is always a favorite of mine to write. As for the Luke and Diana issue, we'll see. He's still mulling over her reaction to him...but I think Melinda will set his mind at ease.
Jedi_Lover: Okay, now my mind is in the gutter, thanks alot.

Thanks for reading and your patience: Briannakin, Jade_eyes, Jedi_Lover. Now on with the next chapter!

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Chapter 24​

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“Hello, Luke,” A voice said.

Luke looked up from where he’d been standing. He was waiting for the hovertram on his way to meet his son and his fiancé for their appointed meal. It was time for the big reveal.

“Melinda, what a pleasant surprise.” He said, smiling broadly.

“It’s good to see you too. I didn’t expect to see you out; I was under the impression you were behind in your duties.” She smirked lightly.

“I have a lunch date with Ben,.” He explained. “It appears I’m…” He paused as if determining whether to tell her or not. What the hell? He decided. “…..going to be father-in-law soon.”

She raised her brows in interest.

“Is that so?”

He nodded.

“Well, you must be pleased.”

He chuckled. “I’m currently not sure how I feel. Anxious mostly.”

“Anxious? Whatever for?”

“The whole prospect…Ben getting married….becoming a grandfather in the future. It’s a…new chapter for me.” He smiled, reminiscing. “Something I never thought I’d see.”

She studied him for a moment

“You’re going to make a wonderful grandfather, you know.”

“I know. It just serves to show me how time has passed. I’m no longer as young as I use to be,” He tilted his head, chuckling. “As my offspring takes much joy in reminding me.”

She frowned deeply.

“I don’t think you’re getting old.”

He smiled. “Good, because the way my son puts it, I feel like I’m going to need a hearing aid any day now.”

“And reading glasses, let’s not forget those.” She teased.

He tilted his head. “I don’t know…do you think I’d look good in them?”

“I don’t see why not. I think they’d look very dashing on you.” She responded smartly.

“Good to know.”

The tram came to a coasting halt in front.

“Well, the tram’s here.” He announced. “I suppose I’ll be seeing you later?”

“Actually, I’m getting on as well. We can continue this conversation on the tram.”

The doors opened and Luke gestured widely. “All right. Ladies first.

“Much obliged.”

​

*​

​

“So, I hear you’re being interviewed by the Coruscant Times.” Melinda said conversationally.

Luke raised a brow.

“Where did you hear that from?”

“Oh, I have my sources. It wasn't a secret was it?”

He shook his head. “No. Not a secret. I’m hoping that by letting this reporter interview me, I’ll be giving the Order more exposure—which it’s sadly lacking. At least not good exposure.”

“This is about what happened to your nephew, isn’t it?”

“It started off with Jacen initially, yes. But it’s become about more than just Jacen; I think it truly stems from my exile eight years ago. Daala may have done some things the wrong way, but she made me see that I had also been losing my footing. I didn’t want the Jedi to become arrogant.” He sighed. “But as much as I’ve tried to expose the Jedi more; it just hasn’t been working. That’s why I set up this interview with Ms. Landon; I want people to see the true face of the Jedi Order. I want them to truly know the Jedi, and to know that we do have the citizen’s best interests at heart; that we’re not merely spotting over-used rhetoric.”

Melinda was clearly unhappy with this assessment of himself.

“You’re a good man, Luke; and a good Jedi. If the rest of the galaxy can’t see that, then they are truly blind.”

“That’s the problem, Melinda, they can’t see me. They only see what has been allowed on the HoloNet, and that hasn’t been much at all. I’ve distanced myself so much from the regular media these past years. It’s no wonder the galaxy acts like it doesn’t trust a word that’s come out of my mouth.” He folded his arms. “That’s why when Ms. Landon approached; I decided to use that very media to my advantage. I’m not saying the Jedi are perfect, but I want the truth; not what the media blindly perceives as the truth.”

She nodded.

“And have you made any progress with this truth-finding expedition?”

He raised his eyes to hers. “A little headway, yes. I’ve had a total of two interviews with her. Last night I had to finish my interview at a restaurant.”

Melinda raised her brow intrigued.

“She was on a deadline, so I offered to conduct the rest of the interview during dinner, since we didn’t get to finish it at the Temple. We’ve got another interview for later this evening. Hopefully we should be able to finish it today.”

She set her lips in thought.

“Wait," Melinda interjected after a moment. "You don’t mean Diana Landon?”

“You know her?”

“No, but I’ve heard of her; I’m very familiar with her work. She’s an excellent journalist. Especially these days when media is more focused on the visual aspect, HoloNet and all, instead of that delivered to datapads. Many say it’s a dying medium, but I don’t believe it—and with people like Landon, I don’t think it will any time soon.”

Luke studied Melinda, she seemed so sure of what she was saying.

“How do you come to that conclusion?” He asked casually.

“I’ve read her work. She did an exceptionally stunning piece of Bill 57…the Clean Air Act.”

He was familiar with the Clean Air Act; it regulated the pollution caused by the industrial portions of Coruscant.

“Her tenacity and thorough investigation were quite impressive for that piece. Not too many politicians are ready to spill the beans about Bills, but she got him to do a point by point break down of it.”

“She’s….very reputable then.”

“Oh, very. I find her to have the most top-notch ethics in the reporting business. She only picks the most hard hitting and relevant articles. She avoids sensationalist piece and thinks very low of sludge reporting.”

Luke took all this in, mulling over her words.

Melinda studied him.

“Luke….Is everything alright?” She asked concerned.

“What?” He looked up jolted out of his reverie.

“I asked if anything was the matter.”

“Oh, yes,” She continued to stare at him. “Well…I guess there’s nothing too wrong.”

“But?”

“It’s just…something about her that has me worrying. Well, it has Corran worrying. Apparently he thinks, Ms. Landon is some sort of fortune hunter.”

“Fortune hunter?” Her eyes crinkled in humor. “That’s absurd.”

“I know, but last evening has me questioning things.”

“Luke-dear, this isn’t like you at all. You always look for the good in all people.” She was frowning. “I’m positive Ms. Landon is only after one thing…a story.”

“I know.” He let out a breath. “I feel really ridiculous, but what she said last night. She looked like some starstruck groupie that I use to come upon in my younger days?”

“Use to?” Her voice held skepticism.

He chuckled, folding. “All right…I still do.”

“See, a woman is just showing you attention, just like others have done before. She’s simply admiring hero. Yes, a little starstruck, but I dare say, I was prone swooning once or twice when I was younger.”

“Oh?” It was Luke’s turn to arch his brow. “Who was it?”

“Oh, just some poster boy.” She said dismissively.

“Anyone I know?” He was grinning now.

“Maybe.”

"I'm sure I can get you to tell me sooner or later."

“That’s awfully ungentlemanly of you.” She smiled. “But, I do want to visit. Shall we say…later after the interview?”

He noticed they were arriving at his stop.

“I’d love that.”

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Oh, I just loved their talk. Even if Diana has other intentions, her plans will fail.

 

Super post. Loved the warm and teasing feel.

 

Very nice!

 

Thanks for reviewing and reading: Briannakin, Nyota's Heart, Jedi_Lover. I think Melinda and Luke are getting really close. Of course he still misses Mara, but that's expected, he wouldn't be our Luke if he was so fickle.

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Chapter 25​

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Luke got off at his stop, kissing Melinda on the cheek and giving her hand a squeeze. The café he was meeting Ben at for lunch was only half a block from the stop. He checked his wrist chrono and was pleased to see he still had fifteen minutes to spare. He walked leisurely along the pedwalk, passing various citizens. Although he was a well known figure, it seemed without his Jedi regalia people seemed to dismiss him—which was fine with him frankly.

He stopped at a specialty store that had all sort of wines, cheeses, and other food. He purchased a jar of olives and headed out the door once more. He arrived at the café with two minutes to spare and glanced at Ben and Myra walking toward him from the opposite direction. Ben gave his father a big smile and the couple immediately went to greet him.

“Hey, Dad, I thought you were going to be late.”

“I got here earlier; did a little shopping.”

Myra eyed the bag. “Is that from the specialty foods store?”

“It is.”

She turned to her fiancé, clinging to his arm. “We need to stop there; I want to see if they have that chocolate I like in.”

“A’right.”

Luke looked around then checked his chrono again. “Shall we?” He gestured toward the front door.

“Yes, I’m starving.” Myra said.

“I could eat.” Ben concurred.

“That’s an understatement.” Luke and Myra muttered in unison.

He rolled his eyes largely.

“Yeah, yeah, let’s eat.”

The three made their way into the café and were led to their assigned table. Luke ordered water as he had the other night while Ben and Myra ordered a citrus champagne drink generally drunken at brunches.

“Very good, Sir.”

The waiter left, leaving the three alone once more.

“So, Myra, it’s very good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Master Skywalker. How’re you doing? Ben’s not giving you any trouble is he?”

Luke chuckled.

“I’m doing well. Things at the Temple are running smoothly. And Ben’s only giving me as much trouble as usual—but I’m use to it.

Myra laughed lightly at his joke.

“I bet.”

“Hey!’ Ben objected, taking on a wounded expression.

They both ignored his feigned protests.

“Anyway, I’’m glad we could have lunch like this, Myra. You haven’t come by to visit lately.”

Ben saw an opening and took it.

He cracked a smile. “Yeah, considering how old Dad is, if you don’t he might forget who you are.” Luke could hear the teasing tone in his son’s voice.

Myra gently swatted her fiancé.

“Be nice.” She admonished.

“Aren’t I always?”

“Is that a trick question?”

Luke chuckled at their exchanged; delighting in the well-placed barbs and zingers.

Myra glanced at Ben for a moment before returning her attention to Luke. “I’m sorry for not visiting often; I’ve just been so busy with my Master’s program.”

“I understand.” He smiled kindly. “We can make up for that now, though.”

The waiter dropped by again with their drinks placing them on the table. He informed them to alert him when they were ready to order, and then was gone as quickly as he’d come. Luke picked his up and took a sip of the water.

“How are your studies going? Last thing I heard from Ben was you were at the top five percentile of your program.”

She took a sip of her own drink.

“It’s going well. I’m at the final home stretch; even got a sponsor for my final project. Let me tell you, for a student engineer that was not easy, people want a sure thing.” She reached for the rolls that the waiter had also placed on the table.

“Surely with you percentile I think you’d have sponsors racing to support you.”

“You’d think wouldn’t you?” She began to butter her roll. “No, it took a lot of work to get this one man to sponsor me.”

“You should have heard the way she got this guy to fold, Dad. He was putty..”

She tore at the bread. “I wouldn’t say putty, sweetie.”

“Babe, if you were a sculptor, he would have been finely molded clay.” Luke could hear the pride in his voice. “He didn’t see it coming, Dad.”

“Well, if you don’t mind hearing about it.” Myra toyed with her food.

“Not at all.”

Myra went on to spin the intricate tale; the story that she told was quite amusing, it had more than its share of anecdotes and funny moments. When she hammered home the punch line, Luke was grinning.

“Well, he was no fool then.” Luke concluded.

“Stang straight.” Ben crowed, resting his arm around her shoulders.

He could see the pride Ben had in his fiancée; how he seemed to puff out his chest like some strutting bird. He smiled inwardly as a warmth washed over him. This is what he wanted for his son, love and companionship; someone to spend the rest of his life with. He knew his late wife would want the same for Ben.

“Master Skywalker?” Myra said, looking concerned.

“Yes?” He responded, shaking himself out of his melancholy stupor.

“Is something wrong?”

Ben was now looking at him with concerned eyes.

He knew he’d never been able to hide it from Ben, even if he could fool Myra. His son knew him too well.

“I was just thinking of your mother…how she’d be so proud of you…and happy for you.” He looked at Ben as he said this. “…for both of you.” He amended and glanced at Myra this time. “I guess I still miss her.” There was tiny sparkling of tears in his eyes.

“I do too, Dad.”

Myra watched this heartfelt exchanged between them. It made her feel out of place—and made her want to know Mara Jade Skywalker. She’d learned what she had from Ben’s stories and sometimes Master Skywalker spoke of her a bit. Most of the times she could see it was too painful for him.

Seeing her face, Luke smiled softly.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “Moments like these get me.”

“There’s no need for you to apologize; actually Ben and I did have something to tell you.”

Ben looked slightly thrown off balance.

“We were going to tell you all together tonight.”

“All together?” He was clearly confused.

“Yes, you see my parents are coming in this afternoon. Ben and I are going to meet them after we finish lunch; we’re picking them up and dropping them off at their hotel. Later, we’re planning to get together for….a celebration of sorts; a reveal of our news…” She looked to her fiancé, touching his fingers. “But I really want to tell you now.”

He knew exactly what she was going to say, but he couldn’t take that big moment away from her.

“How about you wait until we’re all together tonight?” He suggested.

“Really?” Tears glistened in her eyes.

“Yes.” He smiled.

Ben was frowning. “Are you sure, Dad? Don’t you have that interview with Ms. Landon for tonight?” Blue eyes peered at him curiously.

He knew looking into those eyes—eyes that reflected his own—that he couldn’t possibly do otherwise.

“I do—but I can make other arrangements. What’s important to me at the moment is you.”

Ben’s face relaxed, “All right, if you’re sure,” he sank back with grudging acceptance.

Myra was looking quite content.

“The dinner starts at six, by the way.” His son informed him. “That’ll leave you plenty of time to get together with Ms. Melinda.”

Luke blinked slightly shocked. He hadn’t told Ben he was seeing Melinda that night.

“Yes, we’ll make sure you won’t keep her waiting.” Myra was grinning.

He sighed inwardly, chuckling. “That wasn’t what I was thinking about.”

“We know, but we figure since we sprung this on you…” He gestured. “We didn’t want you to miss getting together with her. I know how much that means to you, Dad.”

“Thank you.”

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Great job. I wonder what the big news is.

 

Well Luke knows it as you can tell by this chapter. Her parents just dont

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