Once a Jedi

[Judah Lesan]

Dad, Mom...

Life has been quite the whirlwind lately. I could run down the list but, I'm not sure you really want to know it all, so maybe the highligts. I know I said I'd be coming home, but honestly I've found an appeal to traveling the Galaxy. Like dad always said when something was right, I'd just know it. Well, what I'm doing its right, so I hope your proud. Most of the Jedi factions they are too political so I've taken to freelance work. I'm not alone, I've been traveling with an Antarian Ranger. Her name is Kaitlyn Solay. Yes dad, I've kissed her. No mom, she's not pregnant... we haven't even had sex. I did save her life though, oh... I killed a Sith. I hope I never get used to the feeling of doing that. It had to be done, but I still feel guilty, like I did something terribly wrong.

That's why I wrote actually. I'm having a hard time with it... the death, the killing. I can't sleep. Kait knows I'm sure, she reads me like a book, but I haven't really said anything to her. We've decided to come see you... it's okay to still need my parents sometimes... right? I love you both, and I'll see you in a few days.

-- JJ

Judah set the flimsy down on the outdoor table. The sun was barely visible over the horizon, and the Jedi turned wine maker had already been in the vineyard working. He'd stopped inside the villa and grabbed some Caf and a quick breakfast. JJ had actually taken the time to write the old fashioned way, and had it delivered. The way he reached out was rather touching, and the former Jedi had been proud of his adult son. The woman in his life, that was an interesting development. He'd had a hunch his son was in love with a certain redhead, but that hadn't developed. Judah wasn't going to pry.

The elder Knight lit his pipe and watched as the sun began to take to the sky. Katara was up and about or still in bed. It was a rare morning where the two had not started the day by making love, though the morning wasn't over yet at all. They were very much in love, and Judah still thanked the force every day for bringing her into his life. He'd always enjoyed her, and being her lover, friend, and husband. They were a good team, great partners in life. She'd always supported him, and he her. Life was perfect, aside from the recent occupation by the Techno Union, but they weren't the Sith. Taxes sucked, but they were still able to run their winery. Judah was content. His lightsabers weren't even worn anymore, and his robes were in a cedar chest, the one where memories were stored. JJ was the Jedi now, Judah was retired.

[member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Alleycat]

Katara had always been an early riser. Today was no different. The former CorSec agent was up and out the door for a run before the sun even began to come up and over the mountains to the east that stood like guardians over Lake Country. It was her personal, quiet time; allowing the Corellisi to find her center for the day ahead much like her husband, [member="Judah Lesan"], would do when he did his Jedi mediation katas.

This was one of her favorite times of year. The fall foliage was spectacular on Naboo, though not quite as much as Corellia. Nothing would ever in Katara's mind match her homeworld's natural beauty. She still mourned the loss of her birthplace that had been basically destroyed. Only a husk of it now remained. No other world in the galaxy could replace it, but the Mid Rim Jewel was slowly beginning to be a close second. Judah and her had made a new home and were living a nice retirement so to speak. Their main pressing issues were taxes and preparing the recently harvested grapes from their vineyard to make next years new wines for their winery, or so she thought.

The spirited redhead slowed, then walked up the last part of the road that led to the Chateau Le Star Estate Vineyard to cool down from her run around the lake. As she got closer, Katara could see Judah sitting on the patio that overlooked the grounds. The sight of him even after all these years always made the Corellisi's heart go pitter-patter. The ruggedly handsome Telosian though was smoking his pipe; a nasty habit she didn't care for, but allowed "Jediboy" to do as long as it was outside or in his shop… Just not in her house or ship.

"G'morning, sweets," Kat greeted as she joined the retired Jedi Knight still dressed in her running gear; to the shower she would go after breakfast with her husband of twenty plus years. The redhead leaned in to place a tender kiss upon his bearded-cheek before taking a seat at the outdoor table next to him. There was a carafe full of freshly made caf. A cup was poured for herself, then Judah's refilled.

"What do you have there… a handwritten letter?"

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah stamped out the pipe as he smelled the carrier away scented perfume of his wonderful bride. She hated his smoking habit, but tolerated him as long as it was done out doors or in his shop. He didn't smoke near as much as he used to, much of that because of Kat's influence. Her lips pressing to his cheek made him smile. Even after over twenty years of marriage he still lit up every time she walked into the room. He was madly in love with her, and that was never going to change. When Judah chose her over the code, it had been the best decision of his life, and he never once regretted it. He nodded at her question, as he slid the letter over to the red haired Corellisi.

"It's from JJ. You can read it, but to sum it up, he met a girl, and he's struggling with the guilt of killing his first Sith. It seems they are headed here soon."

Judah took a sip of the hot caf as Kat looked over the letter. A hand written note was always a nice touch, and JJ was always so considerate. Katara had done well in making sure he turned into a well mannered man. It was still an adjustment for Judah to think of his son traveling the Galaxy alone, well, with a Ranger. It seemed as though it was just yesterday Judah had helped bring his son into the world in that cold winter night. He had barely beat the blizzard to the compound on Coronet Peak, and when he arrived, Katara was insisting she was about to have the baby. Now JJ was in his young twenties, and Judah was the older man.

"How was your run," Judah asked as he reached for Katara's hand. "Work up an appetite? I've got some nerf links just warmed in the skillet."

Judah grinned and pumped his brows. Breakfast meant a shower was to follow, and that meant another chance to express his love for his wife.

[member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Alleycat]

After taking an initial sip of the steaming dark liquid, Katara picked up the letter from their son that [member="Judah Lesan"] had slid over and read it. The handwritten nature of it touched the mother in her. [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] was considered a grown man now, yet he would always be her little boy. She probably picked up more on the little nuances etched throughout the young Corellian's words of the actual state of his mind and heart more than her husband. But none the less, both parents would help JJ in any way he reached out to them or needed.

"Mhm Sounds like maybe JJ is thinking seriously about this girl. I mean bringing her home to meet the parents and his point they haven't had sex yet is a red flag for 'I'm in love. This is the one.' Remember when I finally had you meet my dad… I'll open the third floor and get the bedrooms ready for them. It will be good to have the family back together again under one roof."

The letter was folded back up and set down on the table, then Kat's caf mug was picked up with her free hand. She loved it when Judah took her hand in his, and intertwined their fingers. It was amazing how they were still so crazy for one another after all these years. The Telosian romanced her everyday no matter what the day brought. They were each others other half of a whole pie. Katara couldn't imagine her husband not in her life anymore. His retirement from serving the Jedi had come with relief actually, though with the galaxy how it was today the Corellisi wasn't sure just how long that would last.

"The run was good except for the TU patrols… And you know how I love having your nerf sausage for breakfast. Come on, Jediboy… Let's eat, then you can wash my back for me," the redhead answered with a mischievous wink.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"You think he's fallen for this one huh? He had it real bad for Sash, so this one has got to be special if he's let go of Sasha."

Judah grinned and shuddered at remembering the first time he met Jack. The salty dog was an old grizzled Cor Sec officer that had in no uncertain terms threatened Judah's livelihood should he hurt his daughter. Yeah, Judah was pretty much glad he didn't have a daughter because he'd be worse than Jack had been. The Jedi chuckled a bit.

"The only difference between them and us is we slept together right away. By the time I met your dad, we'd already become one too, and if they aren't having sex, they aren't married."

It was safe to say Judah wasn't as much into the nuances of how his son was feeling about the girl. His mind was on helping his son with the guilt of killing. There were times as a Jedi it was necessary, and the fact JJ felt guilty was a good thing to a degree. He was a good person inside, but the guilt would eventually cripple him. Judah was concerned about whether his son would make it past that. The emotional conditioning was something JJ and he would have to work on. The boy likely was not doing his katas, not finding his center.

When Katara mentioned having his nerf sausage for breakfast his eyes got wide with excitement. Yes even at his age his mind still went there, and he got up quickly. Scooping her up, he let the car mugs remain on the table for now. They'd be back out there later, especially if they had to get the villa ready for guests. Right now Judah was only thinking about one thing, and it certainly wasn't breakfast.

Breakfast was delicious, and the shower envigorating. Judah was pretty sure they ran the hot water cold before they were finished, and now they rest in the bed. He enjoyed lazy morning with his wife. Drawing random patterns in her shoulder while kissing her forehead was one of the things he enjoyed the most. Their skin touching, and warm naked bodies pressed together in a moment of intimacy which went beyond the sex spoke to the bond they truly had. If that was what JJ had found with this Ranger, someone who he could be like this with, then Judah would be very happy.

"The patrols... They are getting more frequent in this area. I wonder if they are looking for someone..."

[member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Alleycat]

"Something happened between him and Sasha, and I'm pretty sure it was during that time we were on Tatooine getting Tark and my dad out of hock. She wasn't really JJ's type anyway, not truly. Our son I'm afraid fell for her enticing nature. It clouded who I think Sash really was underneath… but that is just my take on it."

Katara had treated the orphaned Force-sensitive girl that [member="Judah Lesan"] had brought back from Denon to train as if she was one of the family, though over time the Corellisi had grown leery of the teenager's intentions, Let's just say in unguarded moments Sasha didn't act very Jedi like at times in Kat's observations.

"Well I'm not sure I want to be a grandma just yet, though getting JJ settled with a nice girl would be nice."

Mornings just didn't get any better than this. The Lesan's empty nest had led to the long time married couple to explore why they fell in love with each other all over again. To be honest, they were very happy and their love had never been deeper nor their marriage stronger. The feeling that something was on the horizon to change that could not be ignored, especially now that the Techno Union was in control of the planet now.

"I hate to say this, but I think we should make an emergency plan just in case… I still can't get Corellia out of my head. It happened so quickly. I don't want that to happen again," Kat said, then buried herself into her husband's embrace. Jack had been lost that day.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"More than just that time we were gone I think. JJ had always had his eye on her, and yes, it was her flare. I tried so hard to help her out of her trouble, but I'm afraid I failed in that."

If Kat was not ready to be a grandma, Judah was twice as much as not ready for his son to have children. He felt as though he had just gotten his family back, then Corellia happened. Their family was now scattered, though Judah and Katara still had each other. Exploring life as "empty nesters" was fun most of the time, but as a father, Judah's mind often thought of his only son, and whehter he was safe. No matter the age, JJ would always be the little boy Judah used to wrestle with in the green grass of their back yard. This was going to be a hard visit in a sense, to see his son fully grown, and woth a woman, one he had feelings for as Kat pointed out.

"When JJ gets here. Whatever plans we make, we need to keep him abreast of them."

Of course Judah had used that word intentionally. He could have said they needed to keep JJ in the loop, or any other synonymous phrase which meant the same thing. It was hard to not be thinking about his wife's breasts when they pressed against his bare chest.

"You still have the yacht, and I still have my Jedi Starfighter. It might be time to start stocking the cargo holds with enough consumables to last us another relocation. There have also been whispers of a New Jedi Order forming. If worse comes to worse..."

Judah didn't think he had to finish that sentence. Even before they had been married the two seemed to be in the other's head and could finish what the other was going to say. They still teased each other about it from time to time, but Katara knew where Judah was going with this. He was going to keep his family, and their interests, safe, even if it meant he had to come out of retirement.

"I shouldn't go there, but it's where that Jedi mind of mine goes. I will keep this family safe."

[member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Alleycat]

"We both will… Because you and I are partners, forever and always," Kat prompted her husband, then rolled [member="Judah Lesan"] onto his back and reminded him a second time that morning about that latter part.

~

It had been a couple of weeks since the handwritten letter from [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] had arrived saying he was coming to visit them and bringing a friend with him. Katara had busied herself with the normal running of the estate vineyard. She was supervising the crushing and pressing of the harvested grapes into juice that would be put into large vats for the critical fermentation process. They had kept on the vintner who had worked for the previous owner of the vineyard and winery. The elderly man was a dinosaur in the business, but his wealth of knowledge was second to none. They had let the older gentleman stay in a small cottage on the estate in exchange for his continued help. He had no family so Jorel was welcomed into theirs. Yet another stray taken in.

Katara was just about to ask how one determined how much yeast to add to the vats that held the juice from the red and white grapes when a speeder drove up the long drive towards the villa. She quickly finished up in the distillery, then the redhead went to see who had arrived.

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

JJ was very nervous about this trip home. There were several reasons, but two very big ones. First it had been a long time since he had seen his parents. In fact when they went to Naboo, he did not go with them. He took off on his own looking for life in the galaxy that was not attached to his father's hip every step of the way. That had led him to Antar V where he met the second reason he was nervous. [member="Kaitlyn Solay"] had to be one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on... no take that back, she was the most beautiful woman he had laid eyes on. To this point everything he told his parents in the letter he had written remained true. They had only kissed, and once at that, and they had not crossed any lines of their professional relationship. They were friends, but there was so much potential for them to be something more. JJ knew it, and he was under the impression Kait did too.

Naboo was beautiful in the fall, but still not like the compound on Coronet Peak. JJ's heart sank a little when bringing Kait home to meet his parents meant going to a winery on Naboo, and not the compound he'd help to build up on Corellia. At least Kaitlyn already got to see how handy he was with building things. The two spent much of their time in humanitarian work. Judah had shied away from fighting a bit since killing the Sith, and close call with Kait on Mon Cal. He rarely talked about it, but anyone close to him would see the struggle written on his face.

"You are going to love my mother, and she's gonna love you, I know it," JJ said as the vineyard came into view.

The lush vines, the collored leaves of fall which surrounded the property, it made the scene picturesque. His parents always had a flare for the romantic, and if the two were supposed to keep things professional, this was not going to help.

"Thanks for coming with me. It's been a while since I've seen them, and this is not the home I remember at all, so this all is kinda weird."

He turned and smiled at the brunette. He loved how she made him feel like he could be completely open with her. Sasha had never made him feel that way. Even when she wanted him to run off with her, he knew she wouldn't understand why he couldn't do that without saying good bye. He had hurt her, and he had to live with that. Kaitlyn was not that way. JJ never felt that being honest with her would be something he had to fear. They trusted each other after all.

"Well, this is it, I guess," JJ said as they pulled into the long path which led to the villa.

The speeder came to a stop just as they pulled up to what looked like a parking area. Knowing his parents they were busy working, or busy............ he would just leave it at busy. Kait had been fully warned not bust into a room unless she was absolutely sure no one was in there. JJ had many stories of what could be seen when he had not been careful.

"You ready to meet my parents," he asked as he got out and rounded the speeder to open the door for Kait. His country manners and charm had never left him at all.

[member="Judah Lesan"] [member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Alleycat]

To say Kaitlyn was nervous was an understatement, but the Antarian Ranger buried her uneasy feelings at meeting [member="Judah Lesan Jr."]'s parents for her partner's sake. He was nervous enough for the both of them, and that was part of the reason they worked so well together. JJ tended to let his emotions get the best of him. She was his calm harbor in a raging storm, or at least that is how it appeared. Their relationship had been kept very professional as it should be between a Jedi and their Ranger. Except for the spontaneous, very appreciative kiss she'd planted on JJ after saving her life, they had not crossed over any lines. There was a certain tension between them, yes, but Kait had been careful not to let anything happened because of it. She was the gatekeeper in that regard.

"Well from what you've shared with me of your mother and father, they both seem like wonderful people and I look forward to meeting and getting to know them."

The estate vineyard was amazingly beautiful especially this time of year with the spectacular fall foliage and lake country as it's back drop, though Naboo as a whole was just that. The young Corellian was still very much mourning the loss of his homeworld and probably would never truly get over it, but if this MId Rim planet was to be his home away from home it wasn't something to sneeze at.

"Home is where your heart is, and your family is here. I happen to think this place is quiet lovely myself. Your parents seemingly think so too. Perhaps it will grow on you," Kait smiled as they pulled up in front of the grand villa. Was she ready? No, but a brave face is what he would see and sense for that matter.

"Yes, I'm ready," she nodded affirmatively as the JJ opened the speeder door for her. "Now take a deep breath and steady yourself, my friend. We'll get through this together no worries."

[member="Judah Lesan"] [member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Judah Lesan Jr.]

Together. Together was a powerful word, and one which Judah had seen on display so many times just by watching his parents. They were his center, or had been for a very a long time. That was changing. Unlike traditional Jedi, JJ was taught there was value in attachment. Could they be used to exploit and minpulate, yes, but did that make them inherently wrong, no. Judah had seen how the bond his parents shared only made them stronger, and made them even more committed to the light. JJ had seen a side of his father which made the younger Judah well aware there was a small part of his father which could lean to darker methods. His father was very committed to the light, and always reminded his dad when things were darkest her light was always there to guide him. When Kaitlyn said together, that's what JJ thought of, and that's what JJ wanted, with her, but couldn't, or didn't know how, to express it.

"Together," he said taking her hand.

They had done so much together since Mon Cal. The two were truly good friends, closer than JJ had been with anyone before. Well, in a different way. Sasha had been like a sister to him, and a relationship which had taken an odd turn. His mother would always be his mother, and never unable to read him. JJ learned at a young age to forget trying to hide anything from the Corellisi. Even though she did not have the force, she didn't need it to know what her son was thinking.

Leading Kait inside the villa, JJ could smell the distinct aroma of caf, and nerf sausages. He smiled. The place did not look like home, but it smelled like home. He breathed in deep, and let out his breath with a pleased sigh. All was right in the world all of a sudden. It was funny how a familiar aroma had the power to do that. JJ set their bags down at the doorway, and led Kait in deeper.

"Mom, Dad? We're home," he called out as he extended the force through the area to see where they were.

[member="Judah Lesan"] [member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Alleycat]

Katara had come through the side door into the kitchen, then walked through to the front of the villa where her grown son stood with a very pretty girl; the Antarian Ranger he'd been gushing about in his letters to her.

"Judah!" the redhead exclaimed in a motherly fashion with arms opening to envelope the younger Lesan. After hugging him properly for a Corellian Mom, she pulled back and flashed a welcoming smile to the brunette beside JJ.

"Hello… I'm JJ's mother, Katara. You must be Kaitlyn. It's so nice to finally meet you."

[member="Judah Lesan Jr."] [member="Kaitlyn Solay"] [member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah had been out in the vineyards tending to the lines when he felt a signature in the force he had not felt in a while. His son was home, and the father smiked. He delighted in his son in a way that most father's did. Judah was proud of the younger Lesan who had borne his name well. Leaving the work for the hired help, Judah raced toward the villa, and when he was certain no one could see, he pressed the force into his legs to make it to the house. Judah arrived as his wife tossed her arms around their son, only widening his smile.

Dark eyes fell to the brunette as Judab walked into the room. He hugged his son when Katara let go, patting him on the back. Then he took the hand of the ranger, bent, and kissed the top of it. Judah was quite the charmer when he wanted to be, and that was most always. Naturally his efforts were always focused on Kat. This display was to make Kait feel welcomed.

"JJ you're looking well, stronger from what I can sense, and I'm so glad to meet your friend," Judah then looked Kait once again. "He has written about you to us a lot."

Judah smiled as he watched JJ turn red in the cheeks. Then Judah entered his son's mind.

"We can talk about that Sith later. It was your first kill, and you're still dealing with it. Oh, and she is very pretty."

Judah took Kat's hand, and motioned for everyone to follow.

"Time to give you the tour and set you up in your rooms, plural because Kat would kill me otherwise."

Judah gave his wife a quick kiss.

"After you're settle I'll get the grill going."

[member="Katara Starkos"] [member="Judah Lesan Jr."] [member="Kaitlyn Solay"]