We sit besides the hospital bed. It's something we have been doing a lot recently. As good as Galactic medicine is, there are limits. Especially when pitted against those long necked bastards. Loathe them, hate and curse them, the Kaminoans were clever. And firm believers in protecting trade secrets. How do I know this? My wife is their bitterest enemy and my children their most famous product.

The clones intended to be the core of the Grand Army of the Republic. Except it didn't quite turn out that way. While freed and able to live their own lives that still came with an all too short expiry date. They were not expected to survive beyond thirty standard. Shayla has spent her life trying to undo the Kaminoan's handiwork. By any measure but her own almost doubling that and unlocking their fertility is an amazing success.

Now, though, it is over. The clone in this bed is the last one known alive. Oh sure, there may be a clone living off space olives, wine and fresh mountain air that's still hanging on somewhere. It's a big Galaxy and the clones were never all accounted for. Officially though, CT-7567 is the last.

"Don't know why you're here. I'm not one of yours." says the Clone.

"You're all mine." says Shayla.

"That's a matter of opinion, ma'am. While I thank you for all that you've done, I never bought into it all."

"You're all stubborn." Says Shayla.

"We were free. I wanted to remain so."

"And proud." I say.

"So why me?" the clone asks.

"To say goodbye. You are the last." I say.

"To say sorry, I should have done more." says Shayla.

The clone shook as it attempted to laugh. "More ma'am? You freed us, gave most of my brothers purpose and direction. Thanks to you we have lived long, mostly good lives."

"Not long enough."

"Again, that's a matter of opinion. I've lived a whole lot longer than I thought I would and had an interesting enough life. So thank you ma'am."

"But."

"No buts. Anyways I'm tired. Think I'll have a rest. We'll resume this later." said the clone.

Except that we didn't. About ten minutes after going to sleep he stopped breathing. After attempting revival for twenty minutes I place a hand on Shayla.

"It's no use love. He is gone." I say gently.

"No! I can..." she begins, but slumps. She knows all too well what medicine can and cannot do.

"We grieve. We say goodbye." I say hugging her.

"It's not right."

"No, it never is."

"Why can't you do anything?" Shayla says looking up at me.

I know that look. Produce another miracle from wherever you keep them. Cajole, trick or otherwise change matters and people's perception so that now, things are different, better. When all else fails, use the Force. Her neobarb Jedi master has always fixed things before.

Except I cant. Entropy and death are still the final pillars of reality against which everything else is dashed. For all my tricks and power, it cannot hold of the inevitable.

You cannot defeat death. Not even in this universe.

"Because I am not that strong." I say as I hold her.

Nor do I want to be.

Yoda died a few years later. He came to visit. Not to impart any last words of wisdom but because trolling me is his idea of fun. The little green goblin insisted on a walk, requiring me to lift him over a couple of obstacles. Any further than the isolated lookout he chose and I would have died there too.

"Think so, do you?" says Yoda.

"Yes." I wheeze. The hundred and teens may be puberty for his species, not mine.

The goblin snickers. "After so many times, an expert on when one is dying about to, become."

'Hey, I am not that experienced!" I protest.

"Still, a promise you made. Quite unwise." says Yoda.

"Wisdom is a con. A trick to keep the youngsters in line." I say.

"That there is. Still, this promise I think, keep it you will." says Yoda.

You damn well know I will. I sit besides the ancient Jedi.

"Nice view." I say.

"Yes."

"No Force whatsits for almost half a continent. You're unlikely to ever be disturbed."

We sit watching the sunset. It gives the appearance of the valley being lit on fire.

"One question, you have?" asks Yoda after a while.

"Have you been to Earth?"

Yoda turns to look at me. I'd call it a number two glare, but I can match those these days.

"Yes. Went there I did." he admits.

"Rescue mission? Stranded explorer?" I say.

Yoda nods. Thought so.

"Bother you, does this knowledge?"

"Not any more. This is now my home."

Yoda then mentions he would like to sleep. He lies down and I wait. Soon I feel his presence vanish. With telekinesis I build a small cairn before leaving.

Enjoy the view my friend.

Some more years and I face the worst day in my life, again. I cradle Shayla in my arms for the last time. Almost one hundred standard, she is green-grey and wrinkled. Almost two entire generations have known of her as the great doctor and matriarch personally overseeing her own personal speciation event.

She looks at me and raises her hand to touch my face. "It's time, isn't it? Because you know."

The tears start. "I will miss you, my love." I say.

She smiles, "And I you. So, what will you do now? Whose life will you turn upside down and send spinning off into the unknown?"

"Is that what I did to you?"

"You know that you did."

"Strange, I got few complaints."

"I liked it. A lot."

"So let me do it one more time." I say as I kiss her and concentrate.

The material vanishes and we see just motes of light all about us. Shayla looks about in wonder.

"Is this?" she begins.

"The Force? Possibly. It's how I experience it at any rate." I say.

"It's beautiful." she says.

"From a certain point of view." I say and hold out my hand. "Last dance?"

Shayla smiles and takes my hand. Surrounded by the Force we dance one last time. Slowly at first, then faster as it becomes apparent we don't have to follow physical rules here. Her form straightens and brightens and I am dancing with the young woman I met all those years ago. My form changes to match. At last, the dance ends and we embrace one last time.

"Can sing, can dance." she begins

"Can use a lightsabre a little." I complete as we kiss.

"What happens now?" she says.

"I have to let you go." I say clutching her tightly to me.

Shayla looks confused but then, realisation dawns.

"I have died already." she says simply.

"Yes."

"So, what happens now?"

"I let you go. I don't want to."

"I don't think you have a choice love." she says.

No. I don't have a choice. We kiss for the last time and I let her go. She fades from sight in my arms.

"Goodbye love."

Afterwards there is the funeral. Somehow I make it through. In the end Idun finds me.

"What do you have planned?" she asks.

"Plan?" I say weakly.

Idun looks at me. "You can lie to everyone. To yourself even, I think this time. You cannot lie to me Father."

I nod. 'Okay. I would not die before her. I did that once before. Never again." I confess.

Idun nods. "I see. Why are you still here?"

"I wanted to say goodbye to you, my dear. Also, one other."

"Your apprentice." says Idun as we hug.

"Yes."

The journey to Corruscant does not take long. One short taxi ride and then I am at the steps of the Jedi Temple. As I ascend I look up, half expecting to see Yoda as was usual, at the top. It is empty of course.

I slowly make my way through the Temple ignoring the telepathic hubbub I have caused. I recall old friends, opponents, allies and rivals. Soon, I reach the Council Chamber. Only one occupant today.

"Master Skywalker." I say to the head of the Order.

"Please Dee-Jay. We can leave the titles aside. Remember?" says Anakin.

"Very well Anakin. I have come to say goodbye." I say.

"No. You can't go. The D'Jooli migration."

"I really think I can. The D'Jooli will migrate without my assistance."

"But there's still so much else to do!" protests Anakin.

"There always is. Come now. The Galaxy is a much better place now than when we found it." I say.

Anakin smiles, remembering all we have done. "It is. We won."

I smile back, "That we did. But now, someone else can look after it. Which reminds me." I unclip my lightsabre and hand it over. "When you find them, they can use this." I say.

Anakin looks at the weapon.

"How much time do you have left?" he asks.

My knees are buckling, vision blurring and it is hard to breathe. Finally.

"None Anakin. Remember, there is no death..." I begin as I collapse into his arms. My vision swims and...

... I awake. I stand above the vision of the Galaxy. Besides me is a golden, shining avatar. I turn and smile at my friend.

"Worth all the waiting?" I ask

"I, guess." says Aurora, somewhat doubting.

"Good, progress. How have you been?" I say and extend a hand.

... There is the Force.