Chapter Nineteen

“I wish the Force would let you see the complete pictures,” said Luke as he lay on his back after another round of walking. “Instead of just flashes. My memories won’t show you everything either.” He turned his head slowly to look at Lisa beside him. “Can’t the link help?” He reached up to cup her cheek and tapped gently on her temple.

She caught his hand and held it under her chin, thinking. “I guess…that would be up to the Force?” Shrugging, she continued, “We’d also need a way for us to touch foreheads while sleeping. This thing isn’t big enough.” She gestured to his medical bed. The cot, also, was too low.

Luke shut his eyes for a few minutes. He wasn’t pushing the Force, merely brushing it. Asking permission? Lisa couldn’t tell. She rubbed circles on his hand; he was still aware of his surroundings, so she gently laid his hand on his chest, kissed his lips, then said, “I’ll be back.”

Had he been in a weaker state, he might have panicked at the absence of her warmth at his side. But no – he spent the time she was gone calm and grounded.

Lisa returned with 2-1B in tow. Luke opened his eyes and watched as they brought out another bed and positioned it beside his. There was a slight gap between the two beds, but if they both lay on their sides facing each other, they might be able to keep their foreheads touching during sleep – slash – trance.

“I do not object to this experiment,” said 2-1B, “however I would be remiss if I also did not warn you to exercise caution and do not push your limits.” His metal-grate face looked between the two of them. “For both of you.”

“We understand,” the couple chorused together.

Artoo, always silent until he felt the need to be heard, beeped at them.

“Artoo has volunteered to monitor your vitals,” explained the surgical droid, activating the monitors on the second bed.

He had Lisa step behind the scanner to get a baseline reading so that if the monitors picked up anything unusual, they would be notified.

“Summon me if I’m needed,” said 2-1B after plugging Lisa’s stats into the monitor, then rolling away.

“Do you think it’ll work?” Luke asked, hopeful, turning onto his side.

She shrugged, kicked off her boots, and set her glasses on the table. “Only way to know is to try.” Beat. “And not be disappointed if it doesn’t.”

Luke silently agreed, still unable to nod, and waited for her to lie down and scoot as close as she could. He also tried to adjust his position, but his body was stiff.

“Stay still,” she said, a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll manage.” Leaning over, she kissed him, then laid her head on the pillow, gently resting her forehead against his. “Ready?”

“I’ll see you there.”

And this time, he meant it.

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