Living With The Consequences
  Part 2

Chapter 9
Aboard the Wild Karrde

"A fine mess you've gotten us into this time, Skywalker." Mara stood in the middle of her accommodations aboard the Wild Karrde and glared at the black clad man standing a few feet across from her.

"Why is this my fault?" Luke threw his bag down across the twin bed and glared back at his wife.

Mara glanced around the small, confining room that had previously been only hers. "I don't know but I'm sure it is." Mara was frustrated that she hadn't considered what a small room the two of them would be sharing.

Luke took a deep breath and tried to remember that Mara was just upset over spending the next few days in this room with him while they were in route to the planet Dolis. "I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here, Mara, but neither one of us have much of a choice."

Luke immediately regretted his words when he saw a flicker of pain in Mara's eyes before she turned away. He had once again inadvertently reminded her that they had been forced into this situation so that she would be alive and free. Luke knew that made Mara feel indebted to him and that was not what he wanted. He watched as Mara moved about until she could gaze out through the small rounded window just to the left of the bed.

Luke hesitatingly walked over to stand beside the fiery redhead but she only continued to stare out the window. Luke did not want their entire trip to be this tense.

"Mara, I'm sorry." He apologized quietly.

She still continued to stare out the small opening. "There's no reason for you to be sorry."

"I didn't mean to imply that I was trapped or being forced to do something I don't want to do because I chose to do this." The Jedi Master tried to explain.

"Nothing is going to change the fact that I feel as if I owe you because you did this for me so let's stop discussing it to death."

Luke took a deep breath. "Ok, let's not fight anymore? It'll be easier to pretend we're a loving married couple if we don't fight all the time we're by ourselves."

Mara turned her head slightly to see him. "More Jedi logic?"

"No, just common sense. Can we try not to fight all the time?"

"Sure." Mara's gaze met his briefly then she strode toward the bed. After realizing there really was not enough room for either one of them to make a pallet to sleep on the bed, Mara looked quizzingly at Luke. "What are we going to do about sleeping arrangements?"

Luke had also been surveyed the room and was wondering how one person could fit in here. The room could not have been more than a 10 by 10 feet room with the single bed taking up most of that space. The bed was pushed against the outer hull wall and scooted to the right side so a straight back chair and a small table could fit in one corner. Luke knew the door across from the bed lead to a small hallway that lead to the bridge of the ship. Talon and Mara's rooms were the only ones on this part of the ship and this close to the bridge. The other crew's rooms were located farther down and much more spacious but as captain and second in command, Mara and Talon had thought it wise to stay close to the nerve center of the ship. Even after Mara had relinquished her role as second in command, Talon had insisted that she keep this room.

An amused expression filled Mara's facial features as Luke walked to the end of the bed to open the two doors there. One was a small walk in closet with built in drawers on one side and a hanging rod on the other. Only a few of Mara's things hung there and Luke wasn't about to open the drawers to see what was in them. He stepped out of the closet. "You don't have many things in there?"

"I'm rarely on this ship now that I've started my own trading company. I only help Talon out occasionally so most of my things stay on the Fire with a few things stored here."

"Who are the people you're meeting with this week?" Luke glanced inside the door directly beside the closet and was thrilled to see it was a private refresher. He liked Karrde's crew but would prefer not to draw numbers with them to get a shower.

Mara continued to watch Luke's investigation of his new home for the next week but was surprised at his last question. Luke shut the refresher door and walked back to where she was standing. He wasn't sure if she had heard him so he repeated his question.

"Who are the people you're meeting with this week?"

Mara couldn't hide her surprise this time since Luke was looking directly at her. "Why do you ask?"

Luke grinned. "I just want to know what my wife is going to be doing when we get to Dolis."

It was very hard for Mara not to smile at the amusement his bright eyes were dancing with. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Oh, it has its moments. So, are you going to answer me?"

"When you tell me why you want to know." Luke laughed aloud at his stubborn companion.

"We're going to be together for along while, Mara. You know everything there is about me..."

...true." Mara interjected, wanting him to know that she already had him all figured out.

"So I want to know more about you."

Mara stiffened; not sure she liked the sound of that. "What do you mean?"

Luke was surprised that him wanting to know her better still made Mara nervous. He decided to try a different approach. "Since I'm not at the academy and longer and really have no commitments, I thought I could help you."

"Help me?" Mara folded her arms across her chest defensively.

"In order for us to be a happily married couple, I'll have to go with you on trips that you have to take for business." He waited until Mara nodded her head in agreement before continuing. "So I'd like to know more about why you're going there, what your business there is."

Mara knew it was a reasonable request so he would not be in the dark about the things going on around him. "I see no problem with that. The only reason for this trip is to finalize a few details with a group that Karrde and I both will do supply runs for and to pick up my ship."

"The Jade's Fire is on Dolis?" He knew it was but it still surprised him that Mara left her ship there.

"Yes, " Mara flinched slightly. "We had only planned on being on Coruscant for a week at most, not the eight it ended up being. I knew we had to return to Dolis so I left the Fire there and came with Karrde."

Luke wanted to steer clear of discussing the events leading up to them being on Talon's ship together as husband and wife. The weeks leading up to Mara's trial were stressful and sleepless. And the first two weeks of their marriage had not been much calmer. They had decided to stay in the apartment as much as possible and had driven each other to the brink of insanity.

"So I can help you with your work?" He asked.

Mara's arms fell down to her sides. "I said I would keep you informed on where and what we would be doing. I never said you could interfere in my business."

If there was one thing Luke was learning about Mara, it was to be prepared when dealing with her. Luke was expecting her resistance about letting him help. Don't you trust me, Mara?"

Mara was stunned by his change of attack. She had been expecting to hear a long list of reasons he should become a working member of her organization. "What kind of question is that, Skywalker?"

Luke took a step forward, just close enough to make Mara uncomfortable. "One that deserves an answer. Do you trust me?"

Mara wasn't sure why he would be asking this after all they had been through. Luke had held her life in his hands many times and never once had she doubted him yet admitting it out loud was something else entirely. "Trust is a hard thing for me."

"You're avoiding the question. Please, this is important to me." Luke's gaze was so intense that Mara felt as if he were looking straight through to her soul.

Mara briefly thought about everything they had been through the past eight weeks but especially Luke volunteering to give up his freedom in exchange for her life. Yet, she had known all along, he would be the one to save her. He always was. She slowly shook her head. "Yes, I trust you."

A smile flooded across Luke's face. This wasn't just about her letting him into the part of her life that few were allowed, Talon being the only one he could think of, it was also about her realizing that she could trust him. That he was not her enemy.

Mara should not have been surprised when Luke grasped her by the elbow to pull her closer but she was. Luke saw and felt her unease but still wrapped one arm around her waist and the other across her shoulders to pull her into an embrace. He held her tightly for a few seconds and was rewarded by Mara's arms slowly snaking their way around his waist. Luke's arms tightened around Mara and he rested his head against hers. He sighed contently then whispered in her ear.

"Thank you for trusting me, Mara."

Mara pulled back out of his arms just enough to be able to see his face. "Skywalker, you've always believed in me. Throughout the years, you've always been there for me and ...stood at my side when no one else would."

Mara looked down in embarrassment at being caught up in the same kind of emotional outburst that she often scolded Luke about.

Luke chuckled softly and moved his hand from around her shoulder to gently tip her face up to look at him. "You and I will always be friends."

Mara stared up at the Jedi Master and found her attention drawn to his lips as his tongue skidded across the bottom one to moisten it. Her breath caught in her throat as Luke's hand moved from her chin to hesitatingly caress her cheek. Mara couldn't stop her hand from going to the back of Luke's head and helping his lips move closer and closer. Luke moaned as his mouth finally descended upon Mara's. He felt as if every nerve in his body was on fire as he hungrily drank in the sweet taste of his wife. Mara matched his passion until Luke tore his lips from hers. His hand moved to the back of her head and wound its way through her hair. He pulled her head back as his mouth descended on the hollow of her neck. Mara cried out from the sensation and her hands clutched at the front of Luke's tunic to steady herself. Luke increased his assault by moving up her neck to gently nibble her ear and the sensitive area behind. He felt Mara tremble so he pressed his body closer to hers and carefully tipped her backwards.

His knee landed on the edge of the bed and his lips once again captured Mara's with a kiss deeper than he had ever experienced. Luke moaned as the intense burning in his lower abdomen threatened to explode.

He mumbled, "you drive me mad," against her mouth just as Mara's tongue plunged into his his. Luke's arm around Mara's waist held her tightly against him while his other hand joined his knee on the bed as he lowered the both of them to the bed. Mara felt herself being lowered onto the bed followed by the sound of her flightsuit zipper being tugged down. Mara shuddered as the confining material opened and allowed Luke's hand slid inside to cup her breast. Luke's thumb and forefinger gently squeezed her nipple and Mara arched her back and thrust herself at him. Luke's body was pressed tightly against hers, tightly enough for Mara to feel how much he was enjoying their impromptu frolicking. It feels so right to be in his arms and he's enjoying it as much as I am. I can't stop. Ohh, yes Luke...don't stop. You deserve this. For everything you've done for me, this I can do for you, Mara rationalized to herself.

Mara inhaled sharply as Luke's hand jerked away from where it was caressing her and his mouth left hers. Luke drew his knee's up on either side of Mara and pushed himself up off her to rest on his haunches. Mara gazed up at his flushed face and was surprised to see his eyes were closed. She didn't understand why he had so abruptly halted their love making until his eyes snapped open. The electric blue that she had become so accustomed to seeing had been replace with a dark blue that glared in anger.

Mara took a long, shuddering breath when she realized he had heard her thoughts. When Luke spoke, his voice was cold enough to send a stab of fear through Mara.

"I do not need your pity sex." He hissed at her.

"Luke, I'm sorry. That's not what I meant."

"Don't lie to me. I heard you. You were letting me have my way with you to repay me for marrying you." His voice boomed with anger.

Mara wanted to object but she knew it was true. "I did think that but I was enjoying…"

Luke twisted sideways and quickly stood. He was running his hand threw his hair when he opened the door, stepped into the hallway and bumped into Talon who had his hand in the air, reaching for the buzzer on the door.

"Whoa Luke, sorry I didn't see you." Talon apologized.

Without a word, Luke sidestepped Talon and headed for the stairwell leading down to the small exercise room Talon had aboard the Wild Karrde. Talon stared after the younger man and wondered about the angry look on his flushed face. He watched Luke disappear around the corner then he stepped into Mara's room. He only caught a brief glimpse of Mara lying on the bed before she was up on her feet with her back to him. Talon was no fool as to what had been in progress in this room. Luke's flushed state; Mara's tousled hair and the sound of a zipper being re-zippered made it pretty obvious. What wasn't so obvious was why it had stopped.

"Are you all right, Mara?" He asked.

"I'm fine." She continued to stare at the wall and not turn around to face him. Talon became concerned.

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Talon thought it unlikely but Mara was acting terribly strange.

Mara chuckled softly. "You know him better than that Talon." Mara finally felt composed enough to turn around but still could not look Talon in the eye. "It's just hard adjusting."

Talon nodded but did not really understand. He had been with Luke and Mara constantly the six weeks before their marriage. And while he had later learned they had been intimate before, they were strictly friends now and had wanted to keep it that way even after they were married. Apparently they had done some major adjustments. Oh well, this is between the two of them.

"I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed." He had actually come to see what they were going to do about having only one bed in the room but thought that now might not be the best time to bring that subject up.

Mara finally looked up at her former employer. "We're fine Talon. There's not much we can do about the sleeping arrangements. Farmboy will just have to make a bed in the refresher."

"Married life's kinda rough like that." Talon teased, hoping to lighten her mood.

Mara burst out laughing. "Like you would know how married life is."

Talon shrugged. "And after this, I never will." He watched Mara laugh for a moment. "I'm going up to the bridge for the nightwatch."

"Why is Dankin not doing that?" Mara slipped back into the role of second in command easily.

"He is. I just like being on nightwatch the first night out." Talon answered.

"I used to do that."

"I know. That's why I picked up the habit."

"Need more company?"

Talon grinned at her as he made his way back out the door. She would not be able to avoid Luke the entire trip. "No thanks." He went out the small door and it slid shut behind him.

Mara exhaled and sank back onto the bed. She knew that she owed Luke an apology but thought it would be best to let him work off some of the anger. Besides, apologizing was not her greatest gift, especially to an irate Jedi Master. She knew he had headed straight for the miniature gym in the cargo bay of the ship. While showing him around earlier, they had decided to put the rarely used equipment to good use while they were aboard Talon's flagship. She leaned back against the bed and closed her eyes. Things had started out simple enough for her and Luke but now...things were becoming complicated. Their physical attraction to each other was becoming more obvious by the day and they had only lived together for a few weeks. Their situation was pushing them to repeat the mistake they made all those years ago, the mistake that had almost destroyed their friendship. The mistake that they promised each other would never happen again.

Mara snorted at the various times they had encountered the uncomfortable tension since the wedding. I can't believe a simple wedding kiss would stir up all these feelings again. We've been around each other over the years and haven't had these problems. Yes, but I wasn't married to him before and kissing him for everyone's benefit, she thought to herself.

Besides, sharing a refresher and catching glimpses of things normally only a real married couple would see, was not helping the situation either.

Mara felt the now all to familiar stirrings as she remembered the day she had walked in on Luke in the shower. The glass partition did very little to hide what appeared to be a nicely equipped Jedi. Of course, she already knew that from their one time together a few months after defeating Thrawn. Luke had helped her through an extremely rough patch of insecurity about her place in the Jedi Order and in the universe as a whole. She had never felt so lost and isolated, not even when the Emperor had died. Then she had had her anger to give her focus but there was no anger after Thrawn. Only confusion about a man who was her enemy yet had tracked her down to an obscure planet and had made sure Mara knew she was his friend and that she was welcome at the academy.

Luke had encouraged her to follow her dream of establishing her own trading company and as they weeks they spent together wore on, their friendship had been firmly entrenched in them both. Then on their last night on the planet, Luke had helped her through the worse nightmares she had ever had. Wanting the emptiness inside her filled and just wanting to feel alive, Mara had encouraged and responded to the feelings that had overcome them. Luke had helped her take many steps in her life and on that night, he had helped her take the step into womanhood.

Did he realized that he was my first, she wondered. It probably never would have crossed his mind that a woman like her had never given herself to another man. Palpatine had treated her as his child in the beginning and their relationship, although abusive, had never sank to the sexual level.

Growing up, Mara's training was to intensive to worry about such things and after the emperor's death...she had been consumed with an anger that left no room for anything else. Luke Skywalker had been her first lover and the only one since that had made her feel consumed with a passion that she never knew had existed.

Mara jumped up off the bed when the door swished open. She was somewhat unsteady and realized she had been stretched out on the bed for quite awhile. Luke entered the room and went straight to the refresher. When she heard the shower go on, Mara went into the walk in closet and quickly changed into a pair of jogging pants and a loose tee shirt. She was turning the bed down when Luke emerged from the refresher, toweling his hair. Mara climbed into the bed but sat cross-legged on one side of it, watching Luke. He to had changed into jogging pants but with no shirt and stood at the foot of the bed but wouldn't look in her direction.

"Luke, it seems like all I do anymore is apologize to you." She finally spoke.

"You don't owe me an apology." Luke threw his towel into a small hamper inside the walk in closet.

"No, I owe you much more than that." She whispered.

Luke bolted back out of the closet as soon as the words had left her mouth. Mara looked up at him in surprise as he practically yelled at her. "You owe me nothing, Mara. I am so tired of going through this with you."

Mara's temper flared at the tone of voice he was using with her. She pushed herself up to her knees so she was equal to his height. "Why can't you just accept the fact that I feel indebted to you?"

"Because it's not true." Luke took a few deep breaths. Arguing with Mara had never gotten him anywhere. Luke gazed at the woman before him as she resumed her former sitting position on the bed.

"You look at our situation as me giving up my life, my freedom in order to marry you and keep you safe."

"You sacrificed your future for me."

Luke had to make her see that that was not the way he thought of it, not at all. He sat down on the corner of the bed, far away from her. "If I can't have the things I want most in my life, then at least I can have a few years of pretending that I do with you. Being married to you, having your companionship, your friendship to come home to at night, it is what I want, Mara. Even if it is pretend, it's as close to my dream as I will ever get and it feels good."

Mara sat stunned, her mouth moving but no words coming out. Luke chuckled softly. "I can't believe I've left you speechless."

Mara crawled on her hands and knees closer to the end of the bed where Luke sat. She stopped only when she was next to him. "Luke, I didn't realize this marriage meant anything to you. I don't want you to be hurt."

Luke knew she was trying to warn him away, telling him not to get attached to her like he tended to do. "I know why we're married, Mara. I never let myself forget that."

Mara only nodded, hearing the sadness in his voice but knowing this was for the best. She could not let Luke have any delusions about this marriage. While they were attracted to it each physically, this was still a marriage of convenience. "About what happened earlier...."

"I should not have kissed you. I'm sorry and it won't happen again." Luke stood up from the bed but still looked at her. "I want to make it perfectly clear that I don't expect any...favors....from you because we are married."

Mara smirked at his bold statement. "Good, because I wasn't planning on giving you any." She was pleased to see his face flush. "I kissed you back because I wanted to. Yes, it did cross my mind that it was fair of you to have me in exchange for saving my life but that was not the only reason. I would never do anything I didn't want to do, not even with you." Mara knew she needed to say more. "And...I don't want to risk losing our friendship like before."

Luke knew she considered their night together a mistake. He would agree that it was wrong to be unprepared but the act itself was anything but a mistake to him. He quickly changed the subject again.

"But do you now understand that I want to be here and there is no reason to think you owe me anything?"

Mara hated to concede but she did understand. Luke was enjoying this marriage; she would just have to be careful about how much he enjoyed it. They were friends and that's the way it had to stay.

"Yes, I see what you mean. Still friends?" Mara held out her hand, which Luke grasped firmly. They both tensed as the equivalent of a small electrical shock surged through them. They hastily ended their contact with no comments on the result of their touching. Mara scampered back over to the right side of the bed, which was almost up against the wall. She hurriedly twisted her hair into a knot and pinned it on the top of her head.

"There's no room to make a bed on the floor, Farmboy, so why don't you just sleep up here?" Luke had just dimmed the lights but Mara could still see the surprised look on his face. "We are both adults. Just stay on your side of the bed." Adults, who almost made love an hour ago, but still adults.

Luke chuckled. "You really should work on shielding your thoughts."

Mara finished with her hair just in time to throw a pillow at Luke as he approached the bed. "And you should work at leaving well enough alone."

"I'm not the one thinking about what happened."

Mara responded by turning over and facing the wall. She felt Luke slide into the bed beside her. Even though Mara was as far on the edge of the bed, with Luke lying on his back, his arm and leg still managed to rest against Mara's legs and back.

Luke decided to prove Mara right about not knowing when to leave well enough alone. "Do I get a goodnight kiss?"

Mara groaned but would not reply. Luke laughed at her then turned on his side to snuggle up behind her.

"Luke?" She couldn't believe he was being so brave.

"Shush, go to sleep." His voice was already drowsy.

The last thing she remembered as sleep overtook her was the sound of the man behind her breathing in her ear.

Chapter 10

Luke Skywalker was tired. He stepped inside his temporary quarters and stretched, trying to ease some of the soreness out of his aching shoulders. He had worked out in Karrde's gym then helped out a few crewmen who had the pleasurable job of moving large crates from one end of the cargo hold to another to make way for the next load of supplies.

It had been a few hours since he had snuck out of bed and stole away from the room to grab a quick workout. Luke couldn't help but glance at the small, unmade bed on his way to the refresher. Thank goodness he had woken up first or he might possibly be sorer than he was right now. Luke smiled as he recalled how he had awakened to find Mara snuggled up against him. She had apparently turned onto her right side during the night and had buried her face in the crook of his neck.

His arm had been casually draped over Mara's hip and he had instantly yet carefully, removed it. He already had a prosthetic hand, no sense letting Mara make it necessary to replace the whole arm. Luke would have stayed like that forever if he could but knew there would be hell to pay if Mara had realized what she had done. So he had quietly slipped away from her and made his way back to the little gym he had already become so acquainted with.

Luke turned the shower on then stepped back into the bedroom to strip off his jogging pants and shirt. It had been awhile since he had partaken of manual labor and while it felt good, he needed and wanted a shower desperately. He walked back toward the shower until he tripped over Mara's small, black carryall that she had tossed beside the vanity but had not quite made it there. Luke cursed and quickly knelt to start tossing the things back in it that had fallen out. He was trying to observe Mara's privacy and not really wanting to see the feminine things that had fallen out anyway when something caught his eye and he couldn't just toss it in the bag with the rest of the stuff. Luke frowned as he turned the small, pink compact over and over in his hand.

Callista had educated him on the various forms of contraceptives, almost obsessing that they use as much protection possible to avoid her getting pregnant, so Luke knew exactly what this was. He knew it was wrong to do so but his curiosity was overwhelming so he flipped open the tiny clasp and his brow furrowed even more at what he saw. There were ten places indented into the compact with small, blue pills tucked into those indentions. Luke knew that one pill a week was all that was needed and this compact held ten weeks worth. What bothered him was the fact that the first four were gone. Mara was in the process of using the repress pills. Luke smiled faintly. Why would she be using these if she didn't think we would end up sharing a bed for real, if she didn't feel the same things I do. Unless...

The smile faded from Luke's face. Unless having these pills meant she was already in a relationship with someone else. Someone that she would have the need to prevent pregnancy with. Someone she was intimate with. Luke snapped the compact shut, returned it to the bag and shoved the bag back beside the vanity where it should have been in the first place. He stepped into the shower and it was only after his skin began burning from the fierce scrubbing did Luke realize that he was angry with Mara.

Angry that she was taking repress pills. No, angry that there was someone in her life that made the pills necessary. Luke tilted his head back to rinse the lather from his hair then angrily smashed his palm against the lever that stopped the shower. He slid open the glass door and grabbed the towel hanging on the handle. He was wracking his brain, trying to remember if Mara had mentioned seeing anyone. They usually did not discuss that sort of thing, not since Callista, but Luke felt sure he would've known if there was someone special in Mara's life. And the person would have to be special to her. No matter what anyone else thought, Mara was not a promiscuous person. Luke hurriedly slipped on his clothes and started toweling his damp hair.

Luke moaned when drying his hair became a little too intense for his comfort. "Great, my wife is sleeping with someone else. Once again, the Farmboy can't measure up." He mumbled as he tossed the towel into the small hamper and threw open the refresher door.

Mara heard the door swish shut behind her just as another door in the room opened. She glanced up at the refresher just as Luke emerged, still damp and mumbling to himself. Mara's expression belied her amusement as Luke's head snapped up when he realized someone else was in the room. Mara watched as he stopped dead in his tracks and a look of disbelieve with a little fear mixed in, filtered across his face.

"Mara." He whispered.

She walked closer and was more amused when he stepped backwards. "What is it, Farmboy?" She could tell he was uncomfortable about something and wanted to press this rare opportunity. "What have you done?"

That seemed to snap Luke out of his daze. He grabbed his boots and began pulling them on. "Why are you here?"

Mara's eye's arched at that question. "Last time I checked, this was my room."

Luke flinched, realizing she had said my room, not our room. "I meant, I thought you would be on duty for awhile longer."

Mara grinned at his fumbling. "Do you have any idea what time it is, Skywalker?" She saw him glance around the room for a chrono. He gave her a sheepish look and shrugged when he couldn't find one.

Mara shook her head, not sure how the Farmboy inside the Jedi Master had survived for so long. "It's almost time for the evening meal, which is scheduled to be a grand performance on our part."

Mara walked into the closet and Luke stood at the doorway, leaning in to talk with her. "What do you mean? Where are we eating?" Luke was not sure how Karrde and his crew did things on the ship. When with Han and friends on the Falcon, they would just grab something out of the small kitchen whenever the mood hit. He didn't even know if the Wild Karrde was equipped with a kitchen. He drew back from the doorframe as Mara walked through with clean clothes in her arms.

She stopped as she drew even with him. "Yes, there is a kitchen on this ship. As well as a rather large dining room, where our marriage will be toasted this evening."

Luke's eyes grew wide and Mara giggled at his expression before making her way into the refresher. Luke knew she was enjoying baiting him along. He stepped into the refresher with her as she hung her clothes on a peg attached to the wall beside the vanity.

"Mara, why would Talon do this?" He asked, not believing that the man would put so much pressure on them.

"The crew wanted to do something special." Mara seemed uncomfortable for a brief minute. "Talon could not tell them no when they had all gotten together and had a special meal prepared."

"I suppose," Luke grumbled. He watched as Mara pulled the band from the end of her long braid and started to undo her hair. She pulled the braid across her shoulder and tried to separate the three strands that she had braided into one. Before he realized what he was doing, Luke reached up and pulled the braid back over her shoulder for it to hang down her back. "Let me do that." He carefully began unbraiding her hair, running his fingers through it to help with the process.

Mara stared at his reflection in the mirror above the vanity in stunned silence. She knew Luke was fascinated by her hair, but not to the point of putting his clean hands in her dirty hair.

*Your hair is not dirty, Jade. It's beautiful.*

Mara closed her eyes when he spoke to her and the touch of his mind soothed her tired soul as much as his hands in her hair soothed her aching head. The last few weeks had been more stressful than any other time in her life that she could remember.

"Mara?"

"Hmm?" She stayed perfectly still and let Luke finish undoing her long braid.

"This is really the first time we've had to play pretend in front of a group of people. Will it bother you, deceiving the crew?"

Mara's eyes snapped open and met Luke's gaze in the mirror. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

"You didn't answer my question." Luke finished undoing her hair and stepped back toward the door. Mara turned to face him with an angry look that Luke was becoming accustomed to.

"I don't like lying to anyone, Skywalker. Is that what you wanted me to say? Are you trying to figure out if lying will be easy for me?"

Luke knew disrupting the calm moment between the two of them had been entirely his fault this time. "No, I just wanted to make sure that you would be ok with this. I don't think you need anymore stress coming down on your shoulders right now."

Mara found in hard to maintain her heated glare after his statement. Luke Skywalker could be many things, but he was always sincere. Mara needed to look away from the sad, blue eyes that were pleading with her for forgiveness. Forgiveness for a sincere question about her mentality that came off sounding like a condescending criticism. Mara knew he didn't deserve the grief she had handed out to him. "I'll be fine but I do need to get my shower taken."

Luke stepped back into the doorway, knowing by now that Mara's quip was her way of saying everything was fine between them again.

Mara held her arm out with her palm facing toward Luke with the intent of pushing him further out of the room. She pressed her open hand against his chest. Luke could never resist her playful side. "Are you sure that I have to leave?"

Mara's eyes widened. "Are you asking to stay?" Mara fully expected him to blush and run away from her stinging retort, but Luke stood his ground.

"Are you inviting me to stay?" Mara couldn't believe the man teasing her was the same quiet, serious Jedi Master that everyone knew.

"Where has the solemn Jedi Master gone?"

Luke grinned as she pushed against his chest until he was completely out of the refresher. "Oh, he's still here. He's just learnt that when dealing with Mara Jade...it's ok to be himself."

It was Mara's turn to look away in embarrassment from his heartfelt confession. She realized her hand still rested on his chest and she brought her gaze up to where they touched, but not high enough to see his baby blue eyes gauging her reaction. "Luke, don't ever lose that part of yourself. You're just as much a Farmboy as you are a Jedi Master."

Luke laid his hand over hers and felt his heart pound beneath them both. "You're the only one who seems to remember that I'm more than just a Jedi."

Mara shifted her weight from foot to foot, growing uncomfortable with their open and honest feelings. She pulled her hand from his grasp and finally looked at him. "Then I'll just have to make sure that you always remember you're more than a Jedi."

Without another word, Mara shut the refresher door in his face. Luke leaned his forehead against the closed door. "Be sure to hurry, Mara. We don't want to be late."

Luke hurriedly stepped away from the door as something heavy thudded against it, followed by a few muffled swear words he had never heard before. Feeling more light hearted than he had in weeks, Luke stretched out on the bed to wait for Mara to finish up and their next performance to begin.

Chapter 11

Mara felt Luke's hand slide into hers as they stepped into the dining hall. She was surprised to see most all of the crew attending, even the temporary handlers hired for this trip. The same people Skywalker had confessed to helping do their jobs earlier in the day.

*It was no big deal, Mara.*

It still irritated Mara that he could read her thoughts so well, he wasn't even doing it intentionally. She frowned at him. "They get paid to do a job, Skywalker. You don't need to do it for them."

Luke couldn't believe they were going to argue over this again, as if all the way down three corridors wasn't enough. "I wanted to help. I needed something to do."

"We don't have time to discuss your 'need to be needed' complex right now." Mara looked away from him as Faughn approached them.

"Here is the happy couple now. Come and sit with us." She heralded them over to a table where Talon, Shada and Aves had just uncovered a platter of food and were piling plates up with the rare, fresh food. Shada eyed their approach and Talon held out two plates.

"Just in time to eat. You'd better dig in, Aves here says he's starving." He joked.

Mara glanced at Aves, who was helping himself to as much food as would fit on his plate. Mara couldn't remember a time when Aves wasn't hungry. "When isn't he. He eats almost as much as Farmboy here does."

Luke glanced at her. *Don't call me that.*

Mara only grinned at him and took the plates Talon still held. She gave one to Luke and put a few things on hers. She watched Luke put a few things on his and realized he was being modest around the others. Even after all the years of being good friends with her and Talon, he really hadn't had the opportunity to get to know the rest of the crew.

Well, I can't let him starve to death while we're here. Sitting her plate down, she took his plate and heaped up the things she knew he liked then handed it back to him. Luke looked at her in surprise at the tender gesture. Mara loved catching him off guard. "There's no need to be shy around here, Skywalker."

"Yea," Aves agreed, with his mouth full of food, "or you won't get much to eat."

With a disapproving glare from Shada, Aves clamped his mouth shut. Shada clicked her tongue, mimicking a school marm. "Men have no manners."

Mara laughed at how well Shada could handle the men aboard this ship. "I have to agree, Shada. Give'm food and all civilized thought leaves them." Faughn clapped her hands in agreement while Shada continued to stare down Aves.

Luke started to argue but his mouth was full of food. Mara pointed her finger at him. "Oh no, Skywalker. A Jedi Master is no match for Shada where table manners are concerned."

Everyone laughed when they could hear Luke swallow hard when he glanced at a stern faced Shada. However, the look on his face caused Faughn to giggle and Shada couldn't hold her stern expression any longer.

"Relax Luke. I'm a pussycat compared to the woman you married." Shada assured him.

It was Luke's turn to laugh at the indignant "hey?" Mara directed toward her friend. "I'm not that bad."

When Luke opened his mouth, Mara's finger was once again in his face. "Not a word, Farmboy." Luke only shrugged, knowing better than to pursue the subject of Mara's legendary bad temper.

Faughn noticed that Luke had backed off the subject. "Mara, I'm impressed. Married what, two weeks now and you already have him trained."

Karrde hid his smile behind his wineglass while everyone else in the room turned to see what the small group had suddenly erupted into laughter over. Luke's face flushed but he continued to eat, ignoring them all.

The meal progressed rapidly with the food disappearing and wine flowing freely. Faughn's easygoing nature helped everyone relax and soon even Shada found herself relaxing, becoming accustomed to having Luke aboard much easier than she thought it would be.

It was many hours later when Luke and Talon found themselves alone at the table, while most had retired to their rooms for the night with a few dancing or crowded into corners discussing business.

Luke took a slow, easy breath and was amazed at how comfortable he felt around these people. He had been aboard the Wild Karrde before but never as Mara Jade's husband. The corners of his mouth curled up at that thought. "Talon, this dinner was a great idea."

Talon chuckled. "It wasn't my idea. The crew wanted Mara to know that she had their support ... and they wanted to acknowledge your presence aboard the ship."

"It was good for both of us." Luke's gaze settled on Mara who was off to the side of the room, speaking with a tall, blond haired man. Luke had never seen him before and his gaze narrowed. Something about this man struck him as dangerous. The man looked to be about their age with a nice build and a friendly face. And he was laughing and smiling at Mara as if they were long lost friends. Luke's mind suddenly drifted back to the small compact he had accidentally discovered in Mara's bag. Was this man the reason she had repress pills?

Luke's sudden change of voice surprised Talon. "Karrde, who is the man Mara is speaking with?"

Talon glanced at Luke, whose face had tightened considerably, then at Mara. "That's Jervis, the Minro rep that I told you about…being stranded while we took care of the business on Coruscant. He's pretty high up in the group, second in command of shipping I believe. I don't speak with him much. He and Mara worked on this deal together."

Luke could feel that Talon was not happy to talk about this man. "What is it, Talon. Why does he bother you?"

Talon hated being around a Jedi at times. "Nothing in particular. He just seems to be intense where Mara is concerned."

Luke could tell that just by looking at the man. Yet, Mara didn't seem worried about him. If anything, she seemed to be enjoying herself.

Talon was amused by the hard look Luke was giving Mara and her friend. It was almost as if he was jealous at the attention the man was giving his wife. "Is something wrong, Luke?"

Luke did not take his eyes off the couple. "No, I was just wondering who he was. It's not like Mara to be so friendly with anyone."

Except you, Talon thought. "They've worked together for a few months now. Just friends as far as I know." Talon wondered if that comment had went to far when Luke's head whipped around to look at him.

"Why did you say that?" He asked.

Talon knew Luke cared for Mara, even if Luke didn't know it. "She is your wife."

Luke looked back at Mara and the man. "You know the deal on our marriage."

"Yes, and I also know the look of a jealous husband." Talon mumbled.

This time, Luke laughed at his friend. "I'm not jealous. I was just wondering who he is." Luke stood up and sat his empty glass on the table. "Thank you for the dinner Talon."

"Leaving so soon?"

"Soon? You've been entertaining us for hours. I'm going to head back to the room to meditate."

Talon noticed that he said 'the room' and not 'our room'. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Luke. No matter what goes on with you and Mara, I consider you a friend and ally. You're always welcome aboard this ship." He extended his hand and Luke clasped it firmly.

"Thank you, Talon. That means more to me than you can imagine."

Talon nodded and Luke quietly slipped through the door, but not before sneaking a last look at his wife and her friend laughing together in the corner.

Mara laughed at Jervis' lame joke and wished she could just pull her blaster and put him out of his misery. Only another day or so and the deal would be closed with the company he represented and then Mara could stop playing these games. Jervis had flirted with her since the first day they met and Mara had long grown weary with his attempts to get close to her over the last few months. She hadn't felt any attraction towards the man, though he was well built and personable, but had finally agreed to a dinner date with him several weeks ago so he would stop asking. That date had not taken place yet and Mara assumed that it wouldn't now that she was married but apparently Jervis did not give up so easily. "So, beautiful Mara, when will we have a dinner?" He asked, moving ever so slightly closer to her.

Mara chuckled softly. "Jervis, I am married now so I don't think you and I should be dating." She glanced past him toward Luke sitting in the corner and missed the sharpening of Jervis' features at the mention of her marriage.

Mara watched as Luke stood and hastily made his exit from the dining hall. Her temper flared at his carelessness, both of them knowing they should have left their party together. She half-listened to Jervis as her mind sought out Luke's. *Skywalker, you should not have left here without me. How is that going to look to everyone?*

*Probably the same way you fawning over another man looks to them.* With that, Luke drew his barriers up tight around himself, allowing no further thoughts from Mara to enter.

Jervis noticed the shocked look flash across Mara's face. "Mara, are you all right?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine but I do need to be going now. Luke had to leave and I need to speak with him."

"Ah, yes, your husband." Jervis sighed. "I still can't believe you went and got married. Does he realize what a lucky man he is?"

Mara thought for sure that she would be sick at his over use of charm. She hastily bade him goodbye and waved at Talon as she exited the dining hall, her temper rising at Luke's accusation.

Talon smirked behind his glass. He was sure Luke had been jealous of Jervis and now Mara was running after the Jedi Master. His prediction was certainly correct so far, their married life had been anything but dull.

Luke had just sat down on the corner of the bed and pulled his boots off when Mara blew into the room.

The Jedi looked up as the door shut behind Mara and she stood staring at him. "What was that suppose to mean, Skywalker?"

Luke himself was not in the mood to hear her ranting and raving. "I'm going to bed, Mara." He walked into the refresher and slammed the door behind him. Mara stood staring at the door until he emerged a few minutes later, now dressed in a tee shirt and jogging pant. He started to go by Mara to reach his side of the bed but Mara stepped in front of him.

"I asked you a question, Jedi." Her emerald green eyes narrowed as she hissed at him.

Luke growled back at her, his resentment at juggling her mood swings beginning to show. "And I said I am going to bed."

Mara was not about to back down. "Why are you angry? I'm the one who should be angry that you left me. Everybody will wonder why we didn't leave together?"

Luke looked at the fiery redhead in front of him incredulously. "And you don't think they will talk about you and Jervis holed up in a corner, flirting with each other?"

"We were talking about business!" Mara moved until there was only an inch between them. "Besides, Jervis is none of your business."

Luke's eyes darkened. "He is my business if he is a threat to this marriage."

Mara stumbled backwards. "What? This marriage is a sham and you had better never forget that." Mara could not believe that he thought a marriage license gave him the right to dictate who she could and could not be friends with.

Luke stepped closer to her, unwilling to back down. "How could I possibly ever forget that, Mara, when you remind me of that fact constantly. But we do have to convince everyone else that it's real and I don't want to go to jail because you can't control your urges around one of your playthings." Luke immediately regretted saying those words as soon as they left his mouth. Although he had found Mara's compact, he knew she was not the type of person who gave herself to men on a whim.

Mara stared at Luke as his words danced around in her head, creating a burning anger that she made no attempt to control.

"You have no right to insinuate that I have playthings and even if I do, it's none of your business, Skywalker. Do you hear me, it is none of your business who I chose to play with." She emphasized the word for his benefit.

Mara turned on her heel and started back out the door. "Mara, I'm sorry." He realized she had every intention of leaving the room. "Mara, where are you going?"

When Mara spun around to yell at him, Luke couldn't remember seeing her this mad in a very long time.

"It's none of your business where I go!" She had unleashed her anger and there was no stopping it now. A wicked grin spread across her face. "Maybe I'll just go spend the night with my plaything."

Luke reached out to stop her but Mara was out the door in a huff before he could. Luke ran his hands through his hair in exasperation. He sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath, wishing he could turn back time and not make his hurtful accusation at her. Mara had every reason to be upset with him for accusing her of having something more than friendship with Jervis. It was unthinkable of him to accuse her of something that he knew she wouldn't do. Luke knew Mara did not give herself easily to a man, in fact, he could not think of any man that she had even seemed to be close with, except for him. He understood what he did wrong and why Mara was so hurt and angry.

What Luke didn't understand was why images of Mara and Jervis in intimate circumstances flooding through his mind caused such a burning anger in him that started in his stomach and reached all the way to his heart.

Luke slid off the edge of the bed onto the floor as the images swirled around inside him and an unfamiliar burning anger inside him increased. He had had this same feeling before, yesterday, when he had found Mara's compact of Repress Pills. Luke pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his chin on his knees as he realized the burning anger was jealousy. He was jealous that Mara needed Repress Pills to be with another man and he was jealous of the way Jervis had acted towards her earlier. His jumbled feelings were much clearer now but a bigger problem was arising. A problem that Luke knew he could no longer ignore.

Luke shook his head wearily, knowing that no matter how hard he tried to stop it, the feelings he had always felt for Mara was growing stronger by the day. Luke took a deep breath, knowing that if he was not careful and let his feelings show, he could lose Mara forever. And that was something he wouldn't be able to live with.

Chapter 12
The next morning

Luke Skywalker had already been awake for hours, waiting for his wife to come home after being gone all night. He was dressed in his workout attire but couldn't make himself go to the gym until he knew she was here and safe. He shifted in the chair again, thoughts of their argument still raging in his mind and the fact that she had spent the night somewhere other than their room tormenting him. The door suddenly swished open and Luke's full attention was on the person stalking in.

When Mara finally made it back to the room, she breezed into the room and straight into the refresher without so much as a word to him. Luke had watched her from his seat at the small table in the corner, relieved that she was back. He had not seen or heard from her since she had stormed out after their fight. Luke couldn't help but wonder where she had spent the night and what the repercussions would be this morning. He disliked the sensation of tiny butterflies fluttering in his stomach when he thought of Mara staying with Jervis and hoped it was not true.

Luke again watched as Mara exited the refresher, dressed in her sleeping attire. Luke frowned as she climbed into bed and purposely turned her back to him.

"Mara," He was almost afraid to say her name, "we need to talk."

Mara drew the thick blanket closer around her but did not reply. Luke stood and with much hesitation, sat down on the edge of the bed. He could feel Mara tense as he did so, but he wanted to be close to her. He needed to be close to her.

"Mara, you can't just ignore me the rest of the time we're married." He pleaded and was rewarded with a sarcastic chuckle.

"It's either ignore you or kill you, Skywalker. You can choice if you like."

Luke took a deep breath. "Where were you last night?"

Her cold laughter sent chills through Luke's body. "None of your business, Jedi."

Mara knew Luke was unhappy that she had stormed out of the room and not talked things through like a calm and rational little Jedi but that was fine with her. It served him right to be unhappy after leveling unfounded accusations at her. Mara still found it hard to believe that Luke thought so little of her that she would sleep around so easily. She knew Jervis wanted more but she certainly had no intention of giving it to him but let Luke think what he wanted. He deserved to be miserable not knowing where she had been last night.

Luke could tell that Mara was itching for a fight and did not plan on telling him where she had been. "Mara, I'm going to go up to the cockpit and watch as we approach Dolis. Are you going to rest here for awhile?"

"Would you like me to write out a list of what I plan to do today for you?" Mara rolled over onto her bed and Luke scooted closer to the edge of the bed. She continued sarcastically.

"Let's see...first I plan on resting here for awhile. It was a long night, you know." Luke's temper flared when she winked at him after that comment. "Then in a few hours, we'll be on Dolis and Talon has requested all of us to met at his favorite club for another congratulatory dinner for one of the crew who has been promoted. After that, I plan on getting in my ship and getting the hell off Dolis. I don't think I left anything out." She glared at Luke, daring him to open his mouth so she could finish the fight he had started last night.

Luke chose his words very carefully. "I'll wake you up when we land on Dolis."

"Please do...oh, I almost forgot. I have to go with Jervis back to Minro Trading to sign a few papers on my way to the club so you should make plans to meet us there with Talon."

Luke's eyes betrayed his sadness before he could tear his gaze from Mara's. "I'll do that, Mara."

She knew his feelings were hurt and even though she was still angry with him, she thought she might have pushed far enough. "It's my job, Skywalker." She rolled over onto her side but this time facing him just as he looked back at her.

"So, I'll meet you there?" He was surprised at how hopeful his voice came across. Mara smirked at him.

"Yes, just get out of here so I can get some sleep."

Luke knew he had been dismissed. Resisting the urge to kiss her, he stood and dimmed the lights in the room for her to sleep. He heard Mara mumble thanks as he stepped into the hallway and the door shut behind him.

Luke decided that even though it was late morning, he still wanted to catch a workout so he made his way toward the gym. As usual, the gym was almost deserted except for a few people. Mosey, the man Luke had formed a friendship with over the last two days called out a greeting to him.

"I thought you might be skipping your workout today, son."

Luke smiled warmly at the older man with the gray hair and beard. Although probably the oldest man on the ship, he played the vital role of engine designer in Talon's organization. He loved what he did and it showed on his always-smiling face.

"Hello Mosey, I just got a late start today." They shook hands warmly and Mosey couldn't help but comment.

"If I had a wife like yours, I'd be getting a late start everyday." He chuckled to himself.

Luke wasn't sure what to say to that so he busied himself stretching before he began his workout. Mosey took his reaction as a sign of embarrassment.

"Don't be embarrassed, son. The two of you are young and in love and that's a perfectly normal thing to be late for."

"Who's in love, Mosey?"

Mosey looked around Luke to see who was addressing him and saw a man who was covered in perspiration from working out. "Jervis, how are you doing today?"

Luke stopped stretching and took a deep breath before slowly turning around to see the man standing behind him as Mosey answered Jervis' question. "I was just talking to Luke here about he and his new wife. You know Mara don't you?"

Jervis grinned at the Jedi Master. "Yes, I know Mara rather well."

Luke gritted his teeth and wondered how people without the Force to help them calm down tolerated this man. "But I don't believe the two of us have actually meet. I'm Luke Skywalker, Mara's husband."

Jervis shook Luke's outstretched hand, delighted that Luke felt the need to emphasize who he was to Mara. "I'm Jervis D'Rowe. I have to admit that I'm glad to meet the man who figured out a way to get Mara Jade as his wife."

Mosey looked back and forth between the two men, wondering about the building tension between the two.

Luke smiled warily. He knew Jervis was insinuating that he had tricked Mara into marriage. "Jade and I have been friends for many years, Jervis. For a lot of people, friendship turns into something more."

Jervis was not about to back down from the Jedi whose accomplishments, in his opinion, had been vastly over-exaggerated. "Yes, friendship does have a way of becoming more."

Jervis knew he was getting to Luke by the way the Jedi's eyes were darkening with every comment. "It was good to finally meet you, Luke. I can call you Luke, right? I'm afraid I would have a hard time calling you Master Skywalker since I don't believe in the whole Jedi, Force thing."

Luke struggled with himself to not lose control. Not only was this man implying that he and Mara were more than friends, now he was insulting the thing that Luke had dedicated his life to. The thing that he had suffered time and time again to protect. "My name is Luke so of course it would be fine to address me as such."

Jervis nodded. "I just knew some people addressed you as Master Skywalker. Does Mara call you Master...Master Skywalker that is?"

Luke couldn't stop himself from taking a step toward the man as his supposedly innocent question struck a chord within Luke. Jervis' bravery faltered slightly as Luke's eyes narrowed. "The relationship between student and master is very different from that of husband and wife. Mara is my wife and we should leave it at that."

Jervis glanced at his chrono. "Sorry to cut this short but I need to get my things together. The Wild Karrde will be docking on Dolis soon and I have many things to get done before them."

"Then by all means, don't let me keep you." Luke made no attempt to hide his dislike of the man.

Jervis nodded to Mosey then without looking at Luke again and exited the gym.

Luke watched him leave then looked at Mosey. "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't apologize to me, son. You did what you had to do. Strange mood Jervis was in" That was all he was going to say on the subject, knowing the tension between the two had to do with Mara. And anything involving that spitfire was none of his business.

He steered Luke toward the treadmill, the piece of equipment he stayed on most of the time. "You could use a good run. We'll be on Dolis soon and maybe things won't be so tense around here."

Luke sighed. "That reminds me that I need to find Talon and let him know I need to go to this dinner later on today with him. Mara won't be there until later, thanks to business." And Jervis, he thought.

Mosey watched as Luke adjusted the controls on the machine. "The dinner Talon's throwing for Simon's promotion?"

Luke wasn't sure about the name but he did remember the dinner was about a promotion. "Yes, at some club?"

"I'm going so you're welcome to walk over with me. It's not far from the docking bay so I'm going to walk over."

"And you don't mind?" Luke asked.

Mosey chuckled. "Of course not. I have to get showered and start working before Talon sees me loafing but I'll look for you when it's time to go."

"Thanks Mosey. I'll be up in the cockpit, I'm sure."

Mosey nodded and left Luke to his running as he gathered up his bag and made his way out of the gym.

It was several hours later, after the Wild Karrde had docked on Dolis, when Luke found himself once again sharing wine and laughter with Talon and his crew. He was seated between Talon and Mosey, both of whom had consumed much more wine than he had. Most all of Talon's crew were scattered about the small club and seemed to be enjoying their time away from the ship tremendously.

Luke glanced up as a woman approached the table and came directly over to him. The others hooted as she leaned close to whisper in Luke's ear, ignoring the everyone else at the table. He held his glass up in front of his face to hide his flush as she spoke to him. He shook his head no and whispered back to her then she left. Mosey elbowed him in the ribs.

"Remember that you're married, Luke."

Luke grinned at him and the expected inquiries about what she wanted followed. Luke loved how easily it was to laugh with these people. "She just wanted to dance."

"Who wanted to dance?" Everyone laughed harder as Luke jumped in his seat as the female voice boomed behind him. Mara smiled inspite of trying to still be mad at Luke as his drink sloshed around from his sudden movement. He started to stand up but she laid her hand on his shoulder so he wouldn't. "So, who wanted to dance?"

Everyone looked at Luke and he groaned. "Just some lady. I told her no."

Mara couldn't resist the opportunity to drive her point across once more. Her hand resting on his shoulder moved over to run through his hair. "I know I can trust you not to cheat on me, Skywalker."

Luke looked up at her, knowing full well the double meaning of her words. His gazes shifted to the man beside her, then back to her. "Did you get your work done?"

She nodded and handed a packet she had been holding to Talon. "These are your copies. Everything is signed and sealed."

Talon took the packet. "I suppose you and Luke will be leaving here soon?"

Mara couldn't wait. This was one of the more dreary colorful planets she had ever been one. People were not shy and she had grown tired of deflecting men's advances. That was one of the reasons she had let Jervis accompany her while she was on planet before. No one approached her while in his company. But it would still be a while before they could leave "We'll leave in a day or two. We still have to restock the Fire's supplies." It amazed her how easily she said we and not I when referring to things in her life.

She looked at Luke, to see if he wanted to help with the restocking. Before she could ask him, Jervis' arm went across Mara's shoulders. "If I can't convince you to stay longer here with me, then at least honor me with one last dance."

Mara could feel Luke's agitation with Jervis without even using the Force and she could guess why. Although Luke had not mentioned it, Jervis had told her they had met this morning. He didn't say much else but she could tell Jervis immensely disliked Luke. She didn't know how to diffuse the situation without causing a scene so she nodded her agreement. Mara looked down at her husband. "I'll be right back."

Luke knew he didn't have much choice in the matter. "I'll be waiting for you." He had an edge to his voice that made Mara frown. Luke watched them as Jervis lead Mara to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her waist and shoulder.

Mara knew everyone was watching them so her hand rested against Jervis' chest to keep him at bay. "Jervis, our deal is complete and I don't plan on coming back to this planet."

He grinned at her. "You're telling me that our friendship is over."

Mara was growing so tired of dealing with this man. She would've blasted him by now if the deal had not been so important to her and Talon. "I'm saying, do not try to contact me or send me flowers or any of the other things you have done in the past."

"You made a huge mistake, Mara." Jervis whispered to her.

Mara wasn't sure to what he was referring to. "A mistake? What are you talking about?" She pushed against his chest as he attempted to pull her closer.

"You made a mistake by marrying Luke Skywalker." Mara's eyebrow raised at his bravery but couldn't comment as he continued. "Yes, a terrible mistake. You were meant to be my wife, not the wife of a stuffy Jedi Master."

Mara contained her shock, not wanting Luke to feel it. But containing her laughter was another matter. Jervis' temper flared and his face flushed. He tightened his grip around her waist and dipped his head close to hers. "I can do things for you that he has no idea how to do."

Mara felt strangely defensive of Luke and hissed at Jervis. "You're such a jerk."

Luke, and everyone else, was watching the dancing couple intently. Talon and Shada exchanged glances when Mara tried to push Jervis back from her slightly. They all looked at Luke when Jervis dipped his head toward Mara's and Luke's chair could be heard scraping against the floor as he stood. "Excuse me," was barely audible then he made his way to where Mara and Jervis danced.

"Uh-oh, doesn't Jervis know whose wife she is?" Aves could not believe the man was dumb enough to hit on a Jedi Master's wife while he was sitting and watching.

Luke strode toward the couple, everyone graciously moving out of the man with the furious eyes' way. He saw the expression on Mara's face and knew she was about to permanently stop Jervis from bothering her. He tapped Jervis on the shoulder. When he turned, Jervis found himself facing an angry man.

"I think it's time I cut in here." Luke informed him.

Mara was surprised at the anger Luke was making no attempt to conceal. Jervis started to object but Luke stepped closer, his voice a low growl. "You are done dancing with my wife."

Mara stepped between the two and faced Luke. "You wanted to dance, so let's dance." She took his hand and stepped away from Jervis. Luke looked at the man a moment longer then followed Mara to a few steps away.

When Mara turned to face him, without thinking, Luke wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. Mara was stunned that Luke was reacting so possessively with her but did not want to make a scene. They both could hear the clapping and hoorays directed towards them from the Wild Karrde crew as Mara buried her face in his neck as his arms tightened around her protectively. They stayed like that for a while, the gently swaying of their bodies lulling Mara into a more relaxed state.

*I'm sorry, Mara. I'm sorry for all this mess.*

*It's not just your fault.* She knew she shouldn't have lead him on about Jervis. Mara drew back to look at Luke. "We'll straighten all this out when we're alone, ok?"

Luke nodded and couldn't resist lightly brushing his lips against hers. When she didn't jerk away, he deepened the kiss. Luke moaned when Mara's arms moved to wrap around his neck, urging him closer. Luke's mind screamed in protest but he couldn't make himself stop. It felt so right.

Talon was leaning back in his chair with only the back two legs on the floor. When he saw the couple on the dance floor start to kiss each other as if they were long lost lovers, he sat up suddenly and the other two legs of his chair landed loudly on the floor. Shada mumbled 'wow' while the rest just sat with their mouths hanging open. Everyone in the galaxy had seen Luke and Mara kiss, and Talon knew those were done for everyone to believe they were married, but this kiss was different. This was the type of kiss shared by couples when no one was watching them, not the kind to be shared on a dance floor in a public place. Talon chuckled to himself. Maybe the two of them were finally starting to see what he had seen all along.

Luke gasped for breath and pulled away from her slightly. "We...we have a lot to discuss, Mara."

She stared up at him, appalled that she had once again let things go to far. "Luke, we need to get back to the table."

Luke took a deep breath and loosened his grip on her. "You go ahead. I'll get you something to drink and be right there."

Mara liked that idea. "I knew there was a reason I married you." She laughed at the look on his face and headed toward the group.

Luke watched her until she was back at the table then he went in the opposite direction to where the bar was located. Luke had almost reached the bar when a man stepped directly in his path. Luke's danger sense flared as he found himself once again face to face with Jervis.

Luke took a deep breath. "You're in my way, Jervis."

Jervis didn't move a muscle. "No, Jedi, you're in my way. You're in the way of me getting what I want."

Luke tensed, realizing that this situation was much more complex than he thought. Jervis was more than infatuated, he was obsessed with Mara "I'm assuming that you're referring to my wife."

Jervis chuckled. "Don't forget that I was on Coruscant during those weeks. I know you married her just to keep her alive. You don't love her, you don't deserve her."

Luke could feel the darkness closing in on him as the man in front of him taunted and ridiculed him. Luke had no intention of trading insults with this man but he wanted to make sure his position on this matter was clear. A few people watched them as Luke stepped as close as possible to the blond, taller man before him.

"Leave my wife alone. Go near her again and you will regret it." Luke knew he should have said it but the words were unstoppable.

Jervis grinned. "The Jedi Master is threatening me?"

Luke stepped away. "No, Luke Skywalker is. Mara can take care of herself. If you knew her at all, then you would know that it would be best for you to stay away from her."

Luke stepped around Jervis but was swung back around when Jervis grabbed his arm, furious that Luke had walked away from him. "You should have stayed out of my way, Jedi. Now you will wish you had."

Jervis released Luke's arm and walked away, leaving an irritated Jedi behind him. Luke took a deep breath and pushed away the darkness that lingered when he was around Jervis. He finally turned and took the few steps to the bar to order drinks. His mind still replaying the scene between he and Jervis and his danger sense tingling every time he did.

Chapter 13

Aves glanced over at the woman sitting beside Talon and noticed the frown upon her face. "Mara, what's wrong?"

Everyone turned to look at her and Mara shook herself out of her daze, knowing they were all waiting for her answer.

"Luke wants to know if anyone else needs a drink?" She tried changing the subject. They all responded negatively, which she passed along to Luke through their bond in the Force then drew back from him. She then realized everyone around the table was still looking at her.

Talon had seen that look on her face to many times to let the matter go. "What is it, Mara?"

She shrugged, making a mental note to keep a better grip on her facial expressions. "Jervis and Luke had another...talk at the bar."

Aves leaned forward to rest his arms on the table in front of them. "Jervis is apparently a very stupid man. Are the two of you sure it's a good idea to do business with him?"

Everyone laughed and Mara was thankful that Aves had lightened the mood, though the sense of dread still nagged at the back of her mind. She tried to shrug the feeling off and turned to look at the older man beside her.

"Thanks for helping Luke get to the club, Mosey."

He patted her arm affectionately. "He's a good man, Mara. He'll be good to you."

Mara couldn't help but smile at Mosey who seemed to always find the best in everyone. "Yes, he is a good man." She looked up just as Luke approached with her drink. She glanced around and noticed that there were no extra chairs. Planning on finding another one, she stood up.

Luke held out her drink and Mara could still feel his agitation. "You doing ok?"

Luke turned the available chair sideways, sat down in it and surprised Mara by pulling her into his lap. "I'm fine."

Mara landed sideways in his lap and turned to glare at him but her mind changed at the hard edge of his demeanor. She took a sip of her drink then held it up to his mouth.

"Drink this, you look like you need it." She pressed the glass against his bottom lip so he couldn't argue. Luke drank until Mara was satisfied and moved the glass away.

Luke's gaze held hers for a few seconds, Jervis still in his thoughts. "Do you feel it too?" He whispered.

Mara nodded, knowing he was referring to the sense of danger around Jervis. "Maybe we should head out of here. We still need to get our things from the Wild Karrde."

Luke slowly shook his head. "I think that would be best."

Mara sat her glass down and turned to address the small group. "Luke and I are going to be going now. We need to head over to the Wild Karrde and get our things."

Talon looked around the club at the various other members of his crew scattered about. "It looks like the ship may be deserted about now. Should be easy to get in and get out."

Luke had to smile, knowing Talon was also saying that the two of them would be alone. Mara stood and Luke had just started to when he suddenly stiffened. He quickly got to his feet and started around Mosey to make his way to the back of the club where he sensed an intense danger and impending doom. Mara started behind him but Luke turned towards her and held his hand up.

"Stay here and protect them."

Mara couldn't believe he expected her to baby-sit when something was going on outside. She had felt it as well. "Skywalker, I-"

"Stay here." Luke raised his voice and even Mara was stunned. He hurried toward the door and Talon stood up.

"I'll see what's going on." Talon saw Mara's furious expression. "He just meant for you to protect all the innocent people in here, Mara."

He hurried after Luke and Mosey went behind him. Mara took a few deep breaths then finally turned to the people left at the table. "We need to look around in here and make sure there's nothing amiss."

They all stood to do as she suggested, learning long ago not to dismiss their Jedi senses, but were rocked back into their seats by a roaring explosion. Things flew off the walls and people fell to the floor, covering their heads. Mara sank to the floor as well, but not from fear or to protect herself but from the pain she could feel consuming Luke. A pain that felt as if her side of her head was on fire... and then nothing.

Mara struggled to her feet as people continued to scream and call out for their loved ones. Mumbling Luke's name, she stepped over people still huddling on the floor to make her way to the back. There were no severe injuries that she could see so seeing what had happened and if there were injuries elsewhere took precedence. Reaching out through the Force, Mara could tell the explosion had occurred in the alley and that's why there was no casualties or even serious injuries in the club. But she was almost running to reach the back door, knowing Talon, Mosey and Luke had all been in the alley when the explosion occurred.

Mara stepped through the remains of the club's backdoor and threaded through the group of people that had already began gathering. She pushed her way through several people kneeling to the ground, gawking at the site but offering no help. She understood why when she saw Mosey on the ground.

"Mosey?" Mara's stomach almost turned at her friend's condition. He had apparently been close to the explosion. She knelt beside him and reached out with the Force to check his condition, knowing there was no way he could be alive. She looked up when Aves' hand rested on her shoulder. He knelt beside her.

"Find Talon and Luke. I'll stay with Mosey." His voice was barely above a whisper with his eyes never leaving the man on the ground.

Mara didn't wait any longer. She was back on her feet and searching for Luke. She saw two men grab another man and fling him to the ground and she could sense their anger. Seeing that they were detaining him and not harming her she extended her senses. Mara felt a flicker in the Force and immediately headed in that direction. Shoving everyone out of her way, Mara finally reached Luke's side as someone helped him roll off Talon. Mara shoved the man out of the way and carefully eased Luke onto his back.

"Luke, are you all right?" She pressed her hand against a deep gash on his temple, trying to stop the flow of blood. Luke pulled the Force around him, building his strength and deadening the pain. After assuring herself that he would be fine; Mara released him and stepped over him to check on Talon. He looked no worse than Luke but had not gained consciousness yet.

"Talon. Come'on, Talon. You're going to be fine." She looked him over quickly just as the paramedics arrived. Luke suddenly tensed and struggled to his knees, pushing the medics away from him as he moved closer to Talon. The paramedic attending to the trader tried to push Luke away as Talon's body twitched and his breathing slowed to almost non-existent. Luke winced at the paramedic's shove and reached out to his wife.

*Mara, have to help Talon...*

Mara stood, stepped to the other side of Talon and shoved the medics out of the way, allowing Luke to reach Talon. Using all his energy to draw on the Force, he placed his hand on Talon's forehead and concentrated on his friend's injuries. Mara's saber ignited and raised threatening as the medics reached to move Luke. Shada arrived to stand beside her, staring at Talon. "What is Luke doing?"

"Talon won't make it to the medcenter the way he is. Luke is giving him strength and healing him enough to transport him."

Shada could tell that Luke was not in good condition himself. He had struggled unsteadily to his knees but his hand and concentration had never leaving Talon. Shada looked toward Mara. "Can you help?"

Mara looked at the woman beside her that she had grown to respect. "Yes."

Shada drew her blaster and pointed it toward the medics as Mara thumbed her saber off and knelt beside Talon. Her hand rested on Luke's that was pressed against Talon's forehead. She joined in the healing and was alarmed at how exhausted Luke already was. He was injured yet concentrating solely on Talon.

*Mosey?* Mara heard the question and knew from the way he said it that he already knew.

*He didn't suffer, Luke.*

She flinched when he withdrew as much as he could and still heal Talon. After a few minutes, Luke withdrew and Mara followed suit. She nodded to Shada, who reholstered her blaster. Mara started to help Luke to his feet but he shrugged her away. Flinching in pain, he stood upright then walked away from the crowd. Mara started to go after him but found herself assisting Faughn and Shada as the medics transferred Talon to an airsled and then into the waiting transport to be taken to the medcenter.

While the women waited for the medic to secure Talon's airsled in the transport, they couldn't stop themselves from watching another airsled with a covered body on it being loaded onto into a different transport. Faughn's hand covered her mouth and she sobbed just as Aves walked up behind him. His arm went around his crewmate's shoulder and Faughn buried her face in his shoulder.

Mara turned away and felt the burning sensation in her throat and she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Mosey was dead and she needed to find out why. Why would anyone put an explosive in the alley? If they had intended on hurting people, inside the club would have been preferable. Mara would find out why but first, there was something else she had to do.

Faughn moved away from Aves and spoke quietly to him and Shada before stepping closer to Mara, careful not to get too close. "Mara, we are going to the medcenter with Talon on the transport."

"Go ahead. I need to find Luke and we'll be there." Mara's eyes were already skimming the crowd for him as he was still hiding in the Force from her.

Faughn had seen Luke brush past everyone, his physical and emotional pain evident to everyone. "Tell him...that we say thanks."

Mara nodded just as she caught a glimpse of Luke approaching, pushing away medics who were trying to help him as he did. "I will."

She stepped around Faughn and walked briskly, almost at a run, to reach him. Mara only stopped when she was close enough to grasp Luke by his tunic. "Are you ok?" She reached out to him through the Force but he shied away from her. Mara carefully pushed away his hair near the gash on his temple.

"I'm fine. We need to get to the medcenter to check on Talon." His voice was low and emotionless.

For a moment they only stared at each other then Mara nodded. "Let's go then." She turned and started walking toward one of the transports that stood waiting to care for victims of the explosion. She had almost reached it when she felt Luke's hand slip into hers. Gripping it tightly, they stepped into the transport and were immediately wretched apart from each other as a medic pushed Luke into a seat, strapped him in and began working on the side of his temple.

Mara sat down opposite him and strapped herself in for liftoff just as Luke uncharacteristically shoved the medic away from him. He rested his forehead against the small window beside his chair and stared outside blindly. As she felt the transport lift into the air, Mara took a shuddering breath, knowing Luke could have been killed here today and angry at the empty feeling that thought left inside her.

Chapter 14

Mara stood leaning against the wall, her positioning so she could see the door that lead from the hallway into the small private waiting room. They were still unsure of who had been the target at the explosion outside the club and she was determined that no one else get hurt. They had been in this room all evening and through the night, everyone except Luke and Mara dozing off and on. Daylight was now approaching and besides the courteous updates, they were still waiting for definite word on Talon.

Ghent and a few other crewmembers were in another waiting area along with a hired professional who had been brought in by Shada to deflect the holo-reporters questions about the incident. Shada had given an earlier statement but hadn't given out any specifics and the reporters were determined to find out every detail.

Mara's thoughts drifted back to the room she was in. Faughn and Shada sat in chairs in the corner while Aves and Dankin both stood on the opposite wall that Mara stood at. Finally her gaze rested on the dark clad man who huddled in the corner in a chair away from everyone. Mara frowned at the wound on his temple that he had shrugged off as nothing major. Though blood had stopped flowing from it, the wound was still red and swollen. Luke's downcast eyes slowly raised just as Mara's gaze shifted from his wound to his eyes. Their gazes locked and Mara could see the overwhelming despair in his darkened eyes. She stepped away from the wall and started toward him only to stop when the door swung open. A man entered the room and Aves stood to stop him until he identified himself.

"I'm Investigator Dobbs and I'm in charge of the explosion investigation." He shook hands with Aves and the man that had walked in behind the investigator also greeted them.

Jervis D'Rowe nodded to most of them and then his gaze rested on Mara. He approached her just as Luke stood. Jervis' shock was easy to read, even for the non-Jedi in the room.

"Hello Jervis." Luke walked closer to the man, using the Force to help him walk without grimacing with each step.

Jervis nodded. "Skywalker."

"You seem surprised to see me." Luke was curious as to the shock still radiating from the man.

"I heard that someone had been killed. I guess I just assumed it was the Jedi Master saving everyone who was killed." He gave Luke a little grin and the tension escalated between the two.

The Investigator watched the two men's exchange then noticed the gash on Luke's head.

"You are the witness to the explosion?" He nodded toward Luke.

Luke diverted his attention to the Investigator and off the infuriatingly obnoxious Jervis. "Yes, I'm Luke Skywalker."

Recognition flashed across his face and his demeanor softened. "Oh, well....can you tell what happened?"

Luke took a few seconds to collect his thoughts. "I sensed that something wasn't right...that danger was nearby while we were all in the club." He took a deep breath and continued. "I went out the backdoor of the club to investigate. Talon and then Mosey followed me out." Luke noticed that Jervis took a few steps closer to Mara, who in turn stepped closer to Luke, wanting to avoid any problems.

"Did you know that the two men were following you to the rear of the building?" Dobbs continued entering the information Luke was giving him onto a small datapad.

Mara could feel the rush of pain from Luke. She reached out and squeezed his arm as he continued. "No, I didn't realize they were behind me until I got to the alley."

"And what happened in the alley?" Dobbs was not giving Luke an opportunity to hesitate.

"I walked into the alley from the club then immediately made my way toward the street. I heard Talon call out to me so I stopped and turned to look back the way I had come. Then I realized where the danger was coming from."

"Our reports show that a small explosive device was located behind a trash collector right next to the rear door of the club." The Investigator supplied.

Luke nodded slowly in agreement. "Yes, so I ran to where Talon was and had already thrown him to the ground when Mosey came out the door." Luke was barely whispering.

"You'll have to speak up, Master…" He hadn't gotten the words out when Mara stepped between the two, toe to toe with the Investigator.

"You know the rest. Mosey came out and the explosive went off. Luke protected Talon and himself as best he could." Her voice cold as the snow on Hoth.

Dobbs smirked at the woman in front of him. "Look Miss…"

"My name is Mara Jade...Skywalker, not Miss." She had almost stumbled over the unfamiliar words coming from her mouth. "Luke has told you what happened so now you can tell us what you have learned. Do you know who did this?"

The Investigator took a step backwards, unnerved by the cold calm of the small person in front of him. "We picked up a man at the scene who apparently knows what happened. He may even be the one responsible. But we are continuing to investigate."

"So glad to hear that. Be sure to let us know when you figure it out...because someone will answer for this." Mara's voice betrayed her anger and need to find out who had caused this.

The Investigator's temper rose just a bit. "We do not need Jedi exacting their revenge. We will find out who is responsible."

Mara smiled, the type of smile that sent shivers down Dobbs' back. "Make sure you do or I'll do it for you."

For a moment, the two only stared at one another then Dobbs snapped his datapad shut and made his way toward the door. "I'll be in touch." He was gone before any of them could reply.

Luke's hand squeezed Mara's shoulder as she still stood in front of him. He pulled her back against him and kissed her cheek. "We will find who did this." He whispered.

Mara relaxed against him slightly, knowing how tired he was. She also knew that he hurt from more than just the gash on his head. He had caught the full Force of the explosion and his body aches reflected that.

Jervis watched them for a moment until Luke finally let go of Mara and made his way back to the chair he had been in before. Mara had started toward him when Jervis reached out and grasp her by the elbow. "Mara?"

She shrugged her arm free, irritated that he would take the liberty of touching her so easily. "What is it, Jervis?"

"I had just wanted to check on Talon and tell you that if there's anything that I can do to help, please let me know."

Mara stared at him a moment, his offer of help coming off as insincere. "Thank you but we're fine."

She then turned and walked over to the small caf machine in the corner, leaving Jervis in the middle of the room by himself. He watched Mara for a second before realizing that he was watching her. He turned quickly and walked toward the door. "Please let me know if any of you need anything."

Jervis opened the door then had to step aside to allow the doctor to enter. Jervis then shut the door behind him as he exited and the doctor walked closer to the waiting people.

"Is Talon going to be all right?" Aves was the first to get the question out.

The doctor nodded to them all. "I believe that Mr. Karrde will recover just fine though it will take several days for him to do so."

Faughn stood beside Aves. "Can you tell us what's wrong with him? Why has it taken so long to find out if he was going to be ok?"

The doctor took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "He is in stable condition at the moment. Since it was a head trauma injury, bacta would not help and surgery was required.. We did operate and relieve the swelling around his brain. That's why it has taken so long, and he is now out of immediate danger. We believe that something stuck Mr. Karrde in the back of the head and the swelling is the result of that. How he managed to survive an explosion that caused such intense swelling is a mystery to me."

No one said anything but they all knew how he had survived. Mara had told them that she had seen Luke's body over Talon's so they knew that Luke had protected his friend.

The doctor glanced at the battered looking man who was slowly walking toward them and frowned at the caked blood on his temple. He took a step closer to Luke and Mara moved out of his way. Luke held up his hand. "It's fine. I don't need medical attention."

The doctor arched his eyebrow. "I think I should be the judge of that." He reached out to Luke's head and grasped him by the chin, tilting it sideways to get a better look at the wound. "You're going to need that wound cleaned and sealed, young man."

Luke uncharacteristically jerked his head away from the doctor's grasp. "I'll take care of it. Can we see Talon?"

The doctor frowned at Luke's apparent disregard for his own well being. "He's in a recovery room at the moment but in a few standard hours, he will be in his own room and allowed visitors."

Mara shook her head. "Will he be awake?"

"Yes, although he may be groggy."

Mara wanted more answers. She watched Luke walk over to the sofa and sit down as she grilled the doctor. "How long will Talon's recovery be? Will there be any long-lasting affects?"

The man smiled at the demanding redhead in front of him. "His recovery will be several days at least and I see no reason to believe there will be any side affects from this ordeal."

After a few more questions, this time fired off from Shada, the doctor turned toward the door to leave. He glanced back at the two people closest to him, Mara and Aves. "Make sure that he," the doctor pointed toward Luke, "gets medical attention to that wound. It appears to be a very serious gash."

Aves looked at Mara who nodded. "I'll make sure his injury is taken care of.....you said a few hours before we could see Talon?"

The doctor nodded his head in agreement and watched as Mara walked over to the sofa where Luke sat then the doctor left the friends alone in the room again. Everyone resumed their previous seating arrangement while Mara knelt in front of Luke.

"We're not going to argue about this, Skywalker." Her voice was firm with a slight anger underlying it.

Luke looked at her in surprise then realized what she meant. "I am fine, Mara…"

Mara surprised everyone by swiftly standing, her movement mimicking her swiftly escalating temper. "You are not fine, Skywalker. You have a large gash on your head and your body is in shock....don't even try to convince me that you're fine." She stood with her hands on her hips.

Luke wearily looked up at his persistent to the point of being irritating wife. "What do you want from me, Mara?" He asked softly.

Mara's anger couldn't help but fade from his soft-spoken question and the exhaustion in his eyes. She reached out to frame his face with both her hands and let her thumbs gently stoke his cheekbones. Luke closed his eyes and soaked in the rare loving attention that he was receiving, oblivious to the surprised looks of the rest of Karrde's crew. Mara knelt back down, her hands never leaving Luke's face and his eyes never opening until she uttered his name.

"Luke, I want you to be all right. That's all I want."

Luke looked into the emerald eyes that were close to his and saw that she was genuinely worried about him. Mara removed one of her hands. "It will be a few hours before any of us can see Talon so you and I are going back to the ship." She put her finger on his lips before he could object. "Where you will freshen up, heal yourself and rest a bit."

Luke's hand closed over hers that held the finger against his lips. He gently pried her hand open and kissed the palm of it before just holding it tightly. "Do I have a choice in this?"

"Sure you do. My way or I'll get you admitted to the hospital to have your wound checked and mandatory rest."

Luke looked at her, her soft expression replaced by one of determination. Luke knew he was fighting a losing battle. "You would do that, wouldn't you?"

Mara pulled her hand from his and stood. "Yes, I would. There are many hidden advantages to being your wife." She waited patiently while he made his decision and finally pushed himself up from the sofa.

"All right but just for a short while, ok?" Luke swayed slightly and Mara grasped him by the elbow.

"Long enough for you to heal." She replied firmly as Aves also stood.

"We'll contact you immediately if anything changes." He held out his hand to Luke who gladly shook it. "Luke, we want to thank you for helping Talon. I don't pretend to understand the Jedi thing with you...and Mara, but I do know that Talon would be dead if you had not been there."

Luke suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "I'm sorry that I couldn't do more." He turned and walked out the door before anyone could reply. Mara took a deep breath, knowing she would have to get him to talk about this soon, about Mosey's death.

She watched Aves sit back down. "The arrangements for Mosey?"

Faughn nodded to the woman standing in front of them all. "I contacted his sister as soon as we got here. She wants...the body...sent back to their home planet for burial." She stumbled over referring to her friend as a body. "I made the arrangements for that."

Mara nodded. "Very good. Are all of you all right? Do you need me?" She glanced at the door that Luke had went through and reached out tentatively through the Force to find him. She turned her full attention back on the three people in front of her, relieved that he was waiting just outside the door for her.

Shada knew she was anxious to be with Luke and had no ill feelings toward Mara's need to make sure everything was taken care of. "We're fine, Mara. Go ahead and help your husband."

Mara smiled at her briefly, remembering that Shada was now the one who was responsible for the details. "Ok, contact me if you need me."

They all reassured her again that they would and she hurried out the door, stopping in the hallway to look at the man leaned against the wall. She held out her hand and he straightened up, sliding his hand into hers. Feeling his strength waning as they made their way out of the medcenter, Mara let go of Luke's hand and silently slid her arm around his waist. Luke leaned his head against the top of hers and wanted nothing more at that moment than to hold his wife in his arms and never let anyone ever hurt her again.

Mara held onto him tightly, thinking the exact same thing about him.

Chapter 15

Mara sat on the edge of the bed and absentmindedly twirled her hair around her finger. She was waiting for Luke to get out of the refresher and planned on making sure he got the rest he needed. The day's events kept running through her mind, starting with the fight with Luke last night and ending with Mosey's death. She closed her eyes and fought the rising emotion at such a senseless death.

She jumped up from the bed when the refresher door opened and Luke Skywalker, clad only in sleeping pants, emerged.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," he mumbled as he moved past her toward the side of the bed he slept on.

Mara started to reply to him just as the buzzer on the holocom went off. Mara walked over to the small table and chair then frowned as she looked at the screen. "Skywalker, the transmission is for you."

Luke watched as she opened the screen, hit the transmit button then stepped to the side. As soon as Leia's face appeared on the screen, Mara could feel a burst of joy from Luke.

"Leia," he took one step and slid into the chair, his hand resting against the corner of the small screen.

The Chief of State's hand went to the screen and for a moment the twins only looked at one another. "Luke, are you all right?"

Luke realized that she must have heard about the explosion. He watched as her gaze went to his temple where the gash was prominently noticeable. "I'm fine, Leia. Nothing that a healing session won't cure." He tried to laugh but couldn't quite pull it off.

Leia's hand slid from the screen and Luke self-consciously let his slide to the tabletop. "Is everyone else all right?" Leia could see Mara off to the side but couldn't shake the feeling that all was not well.

Mara's hand came to rest on Luke's naked shoulder before he replied. "Talon was seriously injured but he will make a full recovery. A crewmember was killed." He saw the stricken look on her face.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm glad that Talon will be fine...and that you are all right."

Luke swallowed hard, the unease between them unnatural and unnerving. "Leia, I am sorry."

Leia smiled slightly. "And I'm sorry." Her eyes followed Mara from the screen as she moved away from Luke to give him privacy. "Are you doing ok, brother?"

Luke nodded. "I'm fine. We're adjusting to married life but we're doing fine." It still amazed him how everything was 'we' now. There was no longer just him and he was finding that he liked it that way. "How are the kids?"

Leia chuckled, the old familiar feeling that she associated with her brother beginning to fill her soul again. "They all miss you terribly but are doing fine. Winter is taking them for a long weekend." Her smile faded lightly. "Things have been tense and she thought it would do them good."

Luke stared at his hands for a few seconds, knowing he was the reason that things were tense. He then looked back at the screen to see his sister watching him closely. Leia longed to reach out and touch him. "I miss you, Luke."

*Leia* He subconsciously called out to her through the Force, knowing she wouldn't be able to hear him. "I miss you, sweet sister."

Leia grinned at him. "Come home soon, ok? We have a lot of catching up to do."

Luke nodded as he saw her reach to end the call. "I love you, Leia."

"And I love you." She gave him a slight wave and then the screen went black.

Luke flipped his screen off as well and slowly stood. His heart felt much lighter knowing that he and Leia were speaking once again, but Mosey's death and the lingering feelings of danger still bothered him. Mara stood and gestured to the bed, giving him no choice but to get in.

"You don't give up, do you, Jade?" He climbed into the bed as an obedient child would and watched as Mara dimmed the lights in the small room.

"No, I don't, Jedi. Now heal yourself and get some rest." Mara started toward the door but Luke's voice called out to stop her.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

Mara turned and walked to the edge of the bed. "I'm going to get some work done while you rest."

Luke only looked at her for a moment. "Will you stay?" he whispered.

Mara stared down at the man as he slid over to the edge of the bed, making room for her. She knew this was more than a simple choice of lying beside him. This was about staying with him. The awkwardness of their marriage was decreasing and being replaced by an even deeper sense of comfort and familiarity. She could walk out the door and leave him alone, keeping the relationship at the distance she had wanted to or she could lay beside the shaken Jedi and give him the same strength that he had given her so many times before. But that would change the dynamics of their marriage. The pretense of being married in name only would be shattered and the other things that she worried about would be harder to keep at bay.

Luke watched Mara's expression and knew she was thinking about his question. He had thought it to be a simple request but from the way she was biting her lower lip, Mara was thinking hard about something. He positioned himself on his side, facing her and waited for her decision. He squeezed his eyes shut to keep the hurt from showing when Mara turned and walked away from the bed. I just wanted to hold her. With his eyes still closed, he reached down and pulled the blanket up around him, hearing a door being shut.

Luke took a few deep breaths, trying to push away the sense of loss and helplessness that had plagued him since the explosion had occurred. He had relived the last few moments over and over in his head, looking for a way that he could have saved Mosey. Luke tensed as he saw Mosey's face distorted in pain just seconds before he had thrown himself on Talon.

Mara watched Luke's eyes snap open as she drew the blanket back to climb underneath it. She saw his gaze flicker to her sleep attire that she had changed into then back up at her. Mara inhaled sharply at the absolute despair and pain in those pale blue eyes. She reached out through the Force to him before lying on her side and pulling him close. Luke buried his head in her shoulder and Mara held him as tightly as she could as she sorted through the images in his head.

*You can't save everyone, Luke.*

Mara gently stroked his hair, careful of the wound that still needed to be taken care of.

Luke hid nothing from her as their minds merged and his emotional pain from the explosion flowed into her. His guilt at not saving Mosey and his anger that someone had done this were firmly entrenched in his mind and Mara did her best to loosen those thoughts and replace them with the harsh reality that these things happen and he could not always stop them. She was surprised to see how hurt he had been when he thought she had left him alone in the room.

*I will always be here for you, Luke. I will always be your friend.* She smiled over the top of his buried head, those thoughts to him strongly resembling the same ones he had told her all those years ago.

Luke drew back away from her slightly as she propped herself up on one elbow. "Do you promise me that?"

Mara was saddened by how vulnerable he looked at that moment. "Isn't that a hard promise to keep?" She wanted to do it but so many things could go wrong and the thought of lying to him...well, she couldn't do it.

Luke raised up on one elbow. "No, it's not hard. I don't care if we get divorced next year or make love tomorrow, our friendship will survive. We just have to be open and honest about things."

Mara's jaw dropped at his reference to the reason they had tried to keep this marriage platonic. "I can't risk it, Luke."

Luke's hand went to Mara's face and held it firmly. "I'm not asking you to do anything with me. I'm just saying that no matter how many arguments we have, no matter what happens, we will always have our friendship."

"You really do believe that, don't you?" Mara found herself actually believing it when he said it.

Luke smiled. "You will never get rid of me, Jade, ever." He kissed her cheek gently. "Do you believe that?"

Mara knew what he wanted to hear, that she believed their friendship would survive but she wasn't quite so sure yet. Luke could hear her thoughts as well as she could through their bond. He leaned in and kissed her cheek again, slightly teasing her. *One day, you will be able to believe.*

*And what would happen then?* She looked deep into his eyes, knowing what he would say and wanting to hear it for some reason.

*Then you and I will start another part of this journey together. But only when you believe that nothing can tear our friendship apart.*

Luke released his hold on her face and lay back against the bed on his back, his exhaustion struggling against him. Mara watched him and couldn't help but wonder what that part of this marriage would be like. To be husband and wife in the literal sense of the word but even if she believed that it wouldn't tear them apart to do so, Luke could be hurt by expecting more.

"Even if that day came about...it wouldn't change what we are, friends pretending to be married. I don't want you to be hurt, Luke." She felt the small twinge in the Force from him.

Luke's eyes slowly opened to gaze at her. "I know that you will never...care for me the way a wife does for a husband. I don't delude myself into thinking anything else." He whispered.

Mara stared at him, a strange ache creeping into her heart from his words. Unsure as to whether it was because he was right about her not ever caring for him that way or because the way he said it implied to her that he did feel that way for her.

"Luke…"

He interrupted her quickly, sensing what she wanted to ask and knowing that he wouldn't be able to lie about it. "Don't ask me, Mara. Please don't ever ask me." His eyes pleaded with her to let it go and she had her answer without asking.

Mara nodded, shaken at this piece of information. "I don't want you to be hurt." She reiterated, knowing that he would be yet oddly wondering if she could ever return the feeling.

Luke stretched a bit and Mara laid her arm across his chest while still propped on her other. Her fingernails brushed against his cheek and she could feel him relaxing so she continued to stroke his face.

*Mara, I'm sorry about Jervis.*

She laughed softly. *I never took you for the jealous type. You played your part very well.*

Luke opened one eye and grinned. *I wasn't playing. I was jealous.* He snapped his eye back shut to avoid seeing her reaction.

Mara found herself struggling not to giggle. "Skywalker, you were really jealous of him?"

Luke's eyes did open this time. "Yes, he was pawing all over you. It was nauseating to watch."

Mara collapsed back against the bed in laughter. Luke indignantly raised up to look down at her, his arm resting on her stomach that shook in laughter. "It's not funny, Jade. He was making it very obvious that he wanted you."

"Oh, what else is new." She laughed then regretted it from the look on his face.

"What do you mean, what else is new?" Luke was frowning at her slip. "I thought nothing happened between the two of you?"

Mara reached up and tried to smooth away the frown lines around his mouth. "I stayed on the bridge last night, Skywalker. Nothing has or will ever happen between Jervis and myself. Why would you even think that in the first place?"

Mara's curiosity was piqued when the Farmboy turned Jedi Master blushed and tried to return to his former position beside her where she couldn't see him. The hand Mara was using to play with the corners of his mouth quickly darted to the side of his head and grabbed his ear, keeping him still.

"Aw, Mara." He started to lift his arm that was on Mara's stomach to remove her hold on him but a vicious squeeze made him rethink that.

"Let's have it, Farmboy, why did you think I was sleeping with Jervis? It must be a good one for you to blush so profusely." When Luke didn't answer, Mara squeezed his ear again and twisted it slightly for emphasis. "Out with it or you won't have an ear left." She snarled but with a hint of laughter in it.

Luke wasn't sure there would be anything left anyway if he told her. "I was in the refresher intending on taking a shower..."

Mara squeezed his ear again. "And?" He was hedging and she was more than ever ready to hear this.

"Quit hurting my ear and I'll tell you." He was rewarded with another tug and he just spit out the answer. "I stumbled over your black case and when I was putting the stuff back in I saw something that made me think you were being...intimate with someone."

Mara immediately let go of his ear and Luke could see her brow furrow thought as she did. "What did you....the pills?"

Luke nodded and watched as anger flashed across her face then the corners of her mouth turn up slightly. "You are such a Farmboy at times."

Luke snorted. "So you always tell me. What was I supposed to think?" He cleared his throat slightly and lowered his voice. "Why do you have them?"

Again Mara laughed and Luke felt a slow warming of his face. "Why do I have what, Farmboy?"

She giggled as his skin turned an even darker shade of red. "Come'on, Mara." He mumbled, feeling every bit like a clumsy Farmboy.

"What? You have to ask the question before I know how to answer." There was no way he was getting off easy on this one.

Luke buried his head in her stomach and Mara laughed even harder as he drew his knees up to free both hands to tickle her ribs with. Mara screeched and her arms flailed at him trying to make him stop. It was to her advantage that Luke was so tired because she managed to hook her arms under his and flip him up beside her. Without thinking, she immediately straddled him and pinned his hands beside his head.

"Now, Skywalker, did you have something to ask me?" Mara rocked forward when he started to move his arm and realized what she was doing when she felt Luke shudder. She released his arms and started to move when Luke caught her by the arms and pulled her down flat atop him. Mara looked at his face inches away but was careful not to move otherwise. "Luke…"

"Mara, why do you have the repress pills?" He whispered, really wanting there to be a simple reason. "Were you in a relationship that I didn't know about?"

Mara stared at the mesmerizing eyes so close to her own. Her arm shifted so her hand could lightly slap his cheek. "No, there was no relationship. It was for purely medical reasons, Skywalker."

Luke's arm around her waist tightened. "Are you all right?"

Mara smiled at his concern but really didn't want to go into the details. "I'm perfectly fine, Luke. I was just stressed out and the pills help."

Luke didn't particularly want to know more at that point but he did feel relieved. "Good." He shifted onto his side with his arms still wrapped tightly around Mara, keeping her as close as possible. Mara rested her head against him and listened to his heart beating, the sound soothing her as it had been in the past.

She could feel Luke draw from the Force and begin to heal the deep gash on his temple. Wanting him to know that she was there to help and to also make sure that he would heal himself completely, Mara loosened any remaining barriers and gasped as their minds joined completely and in a way they seldom had allowed.

Luke had already lowered his barriers and couldn't help but sigh contentedly as Mara's presence flooded every fiber of his being until they could no longer tell where they were separated. Luke mumbled something in Mara's ear as he drifted off into a healing trance. With her mind joined with his, she couldn't make out his mumbling but knew that it had to have been something wonderful from the light inside her that seemed to increase tenfold and continued to grow as they sunk deeper into the Force as one.

Chapter 16

Luke moaned as he slowly drifted awake. He attempted to stretch his arms out and his eyes snapped open, fully awake, when he couldn't. He was startled to find one arm under Mara's neck and wrapped around her shoulders while the other one was across her hip. Then the events of earlier that morning came back to him and a smile crept across his face. Their talk earlier had been a major turning point for them. For the first time since they had slept together all those years ago, Luke finally felt like they had dealt with that night once and for all. And all the confusion surrounding Jervis had also been laid to rest.

Luke's arm moved from Mara's hip as he gently pushed her hair from around her face, feeling immensely happy that there was nothing between her and Jervis. He leaned in and kissed Mara's forehead and was startled when she murmured his name.

"Luke." She yawned and snuggled closer to him, burying her face against his chest and going back to sleep.

Luke wrapped his other arm back around her and shushed her as he hugged her tightly. All I have to do now is make you believe that our friendship will survive so you'll give us a chance, Luke surmised. But he knew that would not be easy. Their past experience had made them both uneasy about doing anything to destroy what anchored them both, their friendship.

Luke yawned and laid his head back down so his chin rested on top of her head. I just have to make you believe in us, he thought to himself. He closed his eyes, still feeling tired and not wanting to leave the peaceful place that he and Mara had finally found. It wasn't long before he drifted back off to sleep with Mara still tightly tucked into his arms.

It was a few hours later when Luke and Mara finally arrived back at the medcenter to check on Talon. They had been awaken by the com's incessant buzzing but were overjoyed to find that it was Aves, telling them that Talon was conscious and doing remarkably well. Mara had quickly showered and now they were strolling down the hallway looking for the correct room number.

"Will you slow down?" Mara was having a hard time keeping up with Luke's long strides. He was in a bigger hurry than she had expected him to be.

"No, you need to walk faster." He replied then contradicted his answer by stopping suddenly.

Mara was glancing at room numbers and didn't notice that Luke had stopped. She plowed into the back of him and with a humph, fell on her backside to the floor. Luke kept his back turned but Mara could see his shoulders shaking from laughter.

"It's not too late to kill you, Jedi." She hissed and ignored the look of an elderly woman walking down the hall, gaping at the brown clad woman sprawled on the floor.

Luke did his best to not laugh more and after a few seconds, he was able to turn around to Mara and offer his hand. "Need help getting up?"

Mara reached up and took his hand, dusting her backside off as he pulled her up. She let go of his hand and fully intended on burying her fist in his stomach but Luke easily caught her arm and pulled it around his waist and held it there while his other arm slid across her shoulders. He held her tightly and maneuvered her down the hall. "Now, Mara, don't forget why we're here."

She started to reply but Luke suddenly released her and knocked on a door to the left of them. He heard someone call out to enter so he opened the door just as a vicious pinch was delivered to the back of his upper arm. Luke yelped slightly, took Mara by the arm and pulled her in front of him. She smiled at him and went on into the room.

"Talon...you're looking much better." She walked over to the bed where Talon sat in an upright position. She had purposely ignored all the curious looks that the others in the room had given her over Luke's yelp. Shada stood next to the bed on the other side while Dankin and Aves were at the foot.

"Mara...glad to see you." Talon replied, his voice still weak but improving rapidly. "And Luke, thank you for saving my life." He addressed the Jedi as he came to stand beside Mara.

"You do look much better, Talon, and please don't thank me." Luke replied.

Talon nodded slowly, understanding that Luke knew he was grateful but didn't like to be fussed over. "I heard that the two of you had been here all night. Did you finally get some sleep?"

Mara laughed softly as Luke's arm went around her waist. "Don't worry about us. We're fine."

Talon could tell something was different. "Yea, I know you are. As long as you're together, you'll be fine."   Mara's laugh died away and she concentrated on Talon. That was a strange thing for him to say since he knew that their marriage was their effort to keep Mara alive. Luke tightened his grip around Mara, hoping to remind her that there were others in the room. "Thanks, Talon." Luke replied.

Talon grinned at how uncomfortable he had just made the two Jedi. "So, are the two of you heading back to Coruscant?" He inquired.

Mara laughed. "No, not until we find out what happened here. Besides, you're going to stay off your feet for awhile..." She held up her hand when he started to object. "...and everyone is going to make sure of that."

Talon nodded slowly. "I plan on taking it easy but really, why don't the two of you go back to Coruscant. Shada can handle things here and you know how long these investigations can take."

Mara got the distinct impression that Talon wanted them back on Coruscant. "Why do you need us on Coruscant, Talon?"'

He smiled sheepishly at her. "I just thought if you were there then maybe you could put out a few feelers for the both of us when the new trade assignments are disclosed in a few days."

Mara snorted. "I'm not exactly on the best of terms with the Chief of State right now, Talon. That might not work."

Luke chuckled softly. "Leia will listen to you." He felt sure of that now that they had talked. "Besides, Talon is right. You could pick up a few trading contracts when the new ventures are disclosed." Luke knew how important every customer was to Mara at this point in her new business.

Mara still looked undecided. "Have you heard from Dobbs at all? Any new information?"

Shada nodded. "They are still going over the scene. The man they have in custody isn't talking yet but they feel that he does know something."

"But no other leads?" Mara was insistent.

"No, none. And we hired a team of investigators ourselves." Shada answered.

Mara nodded at her comments, knowing that was the first thing that Talon would have done. She suddenly felt out of place with Shada now being the second in command. "All right, Skywalker and I will be out of here as soon as we get our things."

Mara squeezed Talon's hand. "Get better soon and I'm glad you didn't get hurt any worse." Talon caught her hand in his and held it firm.

"Call my com on the ship as soon as you land on Coruscant, all right. Let me know that you're safe." Mara stared at him, feeling better that she wasn't being shipped off in favor of Shada. She smiled warmly at the man who had been a good friend to her.

"I will and take care." Mara nodded to the others and strode quickly out the door.

Luke watched her leave, knowing that it bothered her to leave Talon here on Dolis, injured. Talon knew so as well. "Luke, get her off this planet. She's been through too much lately to deal with this."

Luke sighed. "I know, but she's worried about you. Promise that you'll contact us if anything changes or you find out anything?"

Talon laid his hand over his heart. "I promise that I will. Now, get out of here and enjoy married life."

Luke smiled at the trader. "Knowing that you're going to be all right, I might just do that." The two men clasped hands then Luke bid each of them farewell. He found Mara at the end of the long hallway, waiting by the exit.

"Mara?" Her gaze turned toward Luke when he stopped beside her. "He just wants you to be able to get a few new trading contracts and let you enjoy your new marriage. You know that don't you?"

Mara punched the opener on the door and watched them slide open. "Yes, it just feels so different now that I'm not his second in command. I gave orders and asked questions when it wasn't my place."

Luke turned her around to face him, his hands holding her upper arms. "Mara, Talon is your friend. It doesn't matter that you're not his second in command anymore. That doesn't change the fact that you care about what happens to him."

Mara stared at Luke, amazed that he always seemed to know exactly what she was feeling. "It's harder to let go than I thought."

"You don't have to let go." Luke let go of her arms and pulled her closer with an arm around her waist.

Mara smiled at him. "I am so ready to leave this planet." She pulled away from her husband and briskly strode through the doors and toward a waiting air taxi.

Luke watched her for a second, then jogged behind her when she climbed into an air taxi. He wouldn't put it past her to leave him standing there and it was always better to take no chances where Mara Jade was concerned.

It was less than a standard hour later when Luke and Mara walked into the hangar housing the Jade's Fire. Mara stopped immediately upon seeing her ship and Luke could feel the pride oozing from her. He glanced at the ship again.

"She is spectacular...much like her owner." He teased.

Mara chuckled softly. "You've been around Lando and Han entirely too much, Skywalker."

Luke laughed and they continued walking toward the ship. Mara's most prized possession, in Luke's opinion, and rightly so. It was a symbol of her independence and that was what she had always treasured above all.

Mara silently smirked at Luke's thoughts as he projected them without realizing it. Her hand brushed against her lightsaber. No, there are some things far more important than this ship; she mused then glanced at the man beside her, and one even more important than all of those.

They stopped at the side of the ship where a small control box was located and Mara motioned Luke closer. "Learn these numbers...so you can use the Fire when you need to."

Luke stared at her, his disbelief apparent. "Mara. I understand that this is your ship. I would never..."

"Yes," She began, "It is my ship but we will use it. Learn the numbers." She punched the sequence in and knew that he had gotten them. Jedi enhanced memory came in handy. The small box opened and Luke watched as Mara again keyed in her access code then selected the ramp to be lowered. She turned the box back off and closed it up just as the ramp lowered.

Picking up her smaller bag, as Luke had the two larger ones, she strode up the ramp. As the ramp ascended behind them, Mara stood in the entrance of the ship and breathed deeply, wanting and waiting to feel at home for the first time in weeks. She was surprised when that feeling only came when Luke's arm went around her shoulder. She covered her surprise by slipping out of his embrace.

"Let's go, Farmboy. We have lots to do to get the Fire in the air." She dumped her bag onto the floor and raced toward the cockpit. Luke grinned, dropped the two bags he held and raced off behind her. He didn't understand her shock a few seconds ago but she seemed to be over it and he wasn't about to jeopardize her good mood by bringing it up.

Chapter 17

It was several hours later, and they were still in the cockpit of the Fire. They had discussed everything about the ship, Mara wanting Luke to be comfortable enough to run the show if he needed to and she knew how excited he got about flying. Mara finally glanced at her chrono. "It's your bedtime, Farmboy." She joked then glanced at the co-pilots chair and laughed at his sleepy expression.

It was still early in the night but Luke looked as if he were exhausted. Mara wanted to kid him about it then remembered that his healing process had probably left him tired, even with all the sleep they had caught up on. She unstrapped herself and stood. She leaned down in front of him and undid his straps of the seat restraints.

"Let's get our bags and get you to sleep, Luke." She said softly.

Luke yawned and didn't argue as she helped draw him to his feet. "Yea, I am tired." He yawned again and followed her out of the cockpit and back toward the entrance/exit of the ship where they had dropped their bags earlier.

Mara watched while Luke grabbed the two larger bags, insisting that he carry them, before looking at him. "Which cabin do you want?"

As it had been on the Wild Karrde, Mara's room was near the bridge of the ship so she would have easy access at all times. The extra cabins were spaced about all over the ship. "Which one is closest to you."

Luke didn't think about the implications of what he said, he just didn't want to be on the other side of the ship from her.

Mara stared at him, not sure how to reply. Things had changed rapidly between them and it was terrifying her. "What are we doing?" She whispered.

Luke wasn't sure what to say to her. "I just meant that I didn't want to be on the opposite end of the ship." He replied though his thoughts were on how hard it would be to sleep without her beside him.

Mara nodded and walked briskly back toward her cabin. Since Luke was carrying her bag, he followed behind. Mara stopped at the door beside her cabin and with only a slight hesitation opened the door. "You can use this cabin if you want."

Instead of moving aside to let him enter, Mara still stood staring into the room. "What's wrong, Mara?"

She backed away from the doorway and leaned against the opposite wall in the small hallway. "I can't keep doing this." She mumbled.

Luke let the bags slide to the floor and stood in front of her. "Doing what, Mara? What is wrong?"

She stared up at the Jedi Master less than a foot away. "I can't keep pretending that things aren't changing between us." She whispered.

Luke's breath caught at that statement. "Yes, but these are good changes, Mara."

"Are they?" She wasn't so sure.

Luke, however, was positive. "Yes, they are. We know each other even better now. We draw comfort and security from each other. How could those changes be bad?"

Mara's expression darkened. "It's not those changes I'm worried about, Jedi. It's the desire that increases between us everyday and the ease that we became accustomed to sleeping together." She could fill her face warm at her last comment. "You know what I mean."

Luke nodded wearily. "I know." He wanted to argue with her about how these were good things but he was so tired. "These don't have to be things to worry about, Mara. They're perfectly normal for married people to feel them."

Mara rolled her eyes. "We're not normal married people either, Jedi."

"We could be." Luke stepped closer and kissed her gently on the lips.

She was too stunned to reply or resist his soft kiss. She watched as he sat her bag inside her room then went back into the hallway. "Goodnight, love." Again, a small kiss and he went inside the cabin she had just given him. Mara stood staring at the door as it shut behind him, not sure whether to be more confused at his statement or the endearment he called her.

Mara walked out of the refresher and climbed into her bed. Though this bed was the same size as the one on the Wild Karrde, it felt much larger and she frowned when she realized it was because she was in it alone. Mara strengthened the barriers keeping Luke away and felt almost empty in doing so. Mara stuffed her pillow under her head and faced the wall, determined to not even look in the direction he was in. After a few moments, she shivered and drew the blanket further around her. Her thoughts were still on the endearment Luke had used. Goodnight, love.

Mara's hand pressed against her ear to stop those words silent and wished she could do the same for her heart. "Damn you, Luke Skywalker." She hissed. She had known his feelings for her were deep but to the extent of love? But he had told her never to ask about his feelings for her. She had known then why just as much as she knew now. Luke Skywalker loved her.

Mara suddenly sat up in bed. "Luke loves me." She whispered, saying the words aloud giving them an entirely different feeling. She couldn't stop the panic at the thought building inside her and she quickly strengthened the barriers keeping her thoughts her own and struggled to breathe.

But is was too late, Luke had felt her sudden flash of panic and he bounded into the room, not bothering to knock. He rushed to the bed and grabbed Mara by the arms.

"What's wrong, Mara?" Mara stared at him, her eyes wide. She reached out through the Force to him to find out once and for all. No more guessing.

Luke felt Mara's sense brush against his mind and he frowned even deeper at her. "Mara?" She only continued to stare at him, though the panic was receding. He took a deep breath and opened his mind to her completely, wincing slightly at how quickly she entered.

Mara saw him wince and she shook her arm free of his hand so she could rub his arm reassuringly. She let their minds become accustomed to each other then sought out the information she was after.

After joining with her, Luke knew exactly what she was after. He took another deep breath and showed her what she wanted to find; hoping this wasn't a mistake. He flinched when she suddenly withdrew from his mind. They both were reeling from the almost vicious search Mara had conducted. Luke rested his head against his hand. Mara forced his head back up to look at his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?" She was scared that she had been too quick in her quest for answers.

"I'm ok. It was just more direct than most of the time when we're joined. I'm not hurt."

Mara nodded and her hands fell from his face. "You love me." She whispered.

Luke felt his heart jump into his throat. This could possibly tear her from him forever but as she had pointed out to him over and over, Jedi didn't lie. Luke Skywalker didn't lie. He couldn't make himself look away from her as she said it again.

"You love me."

"Yes, Mara, I love you." He could barely be heard, his voices not even a whisper. His eyes bore through her, pleading with her not to leave.

Mara sobbed slightly and shook her head. "How could you, Luke? How could you?"

Luke wasn't sure what she was asking. "How could I love you?" He finally found his voice.

"You can't love me. You're mistaking it for something else...like friendship. We have such a strong bond-"

"Mara, you saw what I feel. You know I love you."

"No, I don't know what love is. How would I know how you feel....it is there and it is something but..." She was confused more than ever.

Luke sighed. "Mara, I feel safe with you, knowing you would protect me with your last breath. I can be myself around you, mistakes and all. And only you can make my soul feel free and my heart feel like it's going to explode when you're near me. And I can't seem to stop smiling when you walk into the room. Don't tell me that I don't love you, because I know I do and I know what it means to love."

Mara stared at him. "I can't be those things...that way with you."

"You already are. I just call it love and you call it friendship." He replied softly. "Just know that I love you and I always will no matter what happens. I don't expect anything in return and I never will."

It almost broke Mara's heart to hear those words but it was true. She wasn't ready for love. She nodded silently and Luke stood. "I'm sorry that I did such a poor job of hiding this, Mara."

She looked up at him. "How long have you hidden that...that you love me?"

Luke knew she wouldn't like the answer. "Since the night we first made love. I thought I cared for you as a friend before but after that night, I knew I was in love with you."

Mara bounded to her feet. "Then what about Callista?"

Luke couldn't explain to her how it was with Callista when he wasn't sure himself. "I loved her in a different way. A friendly way and I wanted it to be more but it never was. I never loved her the way I love you."

Mara shook her head, not believing all the confessions he was spewing forth today. "Then why were you upset when she left?"

"I loved her on some level and it did hurt that she would leave. It was just another failure in my long list of them."

"Failures? You have never failed at anything, Luke."

"You're at the top of that list, Mara. I failed you." Luke eyes darkened and Mara knew his temper was piqued.

"You've never failed me, Luke." She pointed her finger at the Jedi Master. "Not even once."

Luke wasn't about to argue but until and unless she loved him back, then he had failed. "I need to get back to my room. I really am tired."

With that he turned and exited her cabin, leaving a puzzled Mara behind. She had picked up on his last thought and she had a lot of thinking to do herself. They had spent last night resolving Luke's guilt and fear over the explosion and had gotten much closer. Even admitting that they were enjoying the kisses and pretend marriage but this was something totally different. Climbing back into her bed, Mara began sorting through thoughts and emotions and struggling to get and keep them all in perspective.

It was early the next morning and Mara was already up. She hadn't managed to get much sleep and was surprised that Farmboy was still asleep. She checked once more and frowned that he was indeed asleep though starting to wake up.

"Good, we need to talk." She picked up her cup of caf and made her way to his room, determined to follow through on her decision. She wanted to give Luke what he wanted, what he deserved and they would just have to deal with the fallout. She pecked on the door and after hearing a mumble, slid it open. Luke was lying on his stomach on the bed with a blanket draped loosely over him.

"Good morning, Skywalker." She called out cheerfully and loved how he pulled the blanket further over his head. It was rare that he was still asleep while she was up and though she wasn't feeling too terribly cheerful, she wanted to rub in the fact that he was sleeping in. He mumbled a greeting and Mara ran her hand under his chin and pulled his head up slightly. Luke groaned at her bravery and tried again.

"Morning, Mara."

Mara released his head and it thudded back against the bed. "Time to rise and shine, Skywalker."

Luke raised up onto his elbows, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Mara reached down and started to pull the blanket from off Luke but stopped when a well-muscled buttock greeted her. She let go of the blanket and it covered him again. Luke giggled at the shock coming from her.

"Luke, why don't you have sleeping pants on?" Mara demanded.

He rolled over, careful to keep the blanket around him. "Well, my wife is sleeping in the other room so why shouldn't I sleep the way I'm used to."

Mara's mouth dropped open and Luke burst out laughing. "You're getting too easy to get the drop on, Jade."

Mara looked at the cup of caf in her hand and wondered how bad it would burn him if she threw it.

Luke raised an eyebrow at her so she decided not to try it. Instead, she held it out towards him. He took the cup and sipped from it while she settled on the edge of the bed.

"Luke, I've been thinking about what you said." She wanted to get this over with while she still could. "And...I can't return those emotions." She watched as his expression gave away his sadness. "But, there is something here, between us. I don't want to lose that."

Luke took another sip then handed the cup back to her. Mara took it but sat it on the stand beside the bed, having her fill of it already. Luke sat up straighter, putting him closer to her. "Tell me what you want, Mara. I'd give you anything I can."

Mara smiled at him. "I want you."

Luke couldn't have kept the disbelief from his face anymore than he could've kept the quiver from his voice. "What?"

"I want us to be husband and wife. To give this marriage a real go and see what happens." She could still tell he was confused. "No more pretending. We be us and what happens...it happens."

Luke's eyes widened. "You mean?"

Mara couldn't resist. "Yes, I'm talking about little Luke becoming a part of this marriage."

Luke's jaw was beginning to ache from hanging open. "What?" He whispered.

Mara burst out laughing. "You're getting too easy to get the drop on, Skywalker." She mimicked from him earlier.

Luke realized she was serious. "You mean this, don't you? A real marriage?"

Mara could see as well as feel the happiness he was radiating. "Yes, I mean it. You and I are married. You love me. Why shouldn't we have a real marriage?"

Luke moved up to his knees, the blanket sliding dangerously low. He said a quick thanks to whatever god was listening that it was a heavy blanket wrapped around him. A lightweight sheet just wouldn't have been able to hide how happy he was with this news.

He gently kissed Mara on the lips. "Are you sure?"

Mara's hand intertwined with the blanket bunched around his waist and carefully eased it off his hips. Luke's breath caught but their eyes never left each other's. She leaned forward and captured his lower lip and suckled it gently, repeating the motion with his upper lip then kissing him as hard as she could. She drew back and settled against the bed. "Make love to me, husband."

Luke wasted no time in stretching out beside his wife, her words stirring his soul and loins at the same time. The ache he always felt around Mara had increased tenfold since her request that he make love to her. The proof of his ache and want of her was pressed against Mara's leg.

"Mara?" He had to be sure that this was right.

Mara gazed up at the man who wanted her, that much she could feel, but was still most concerned with her. She remembered their conversation last night. "I believe that you and I will survive anything, Luke. I do believe."

Luke's heart pumped harder and faster at the love he felt for this woman flowed freely. "I want to be the only one that ever makes love to you again, Mara. No one else, ever again."

Mara knew they were on dangerous ground and she shouldn't pursue the thoughts racing in her head but she wanted to know. "Why does it matter to you?" She whispered as softly as he had.

Luke moaned her name as his head dipped lower until their lips were almost touching. He wanted to not answer her, but the truth was the truth. "The thought of you and another...any man touching you..."

Mara tensed even more at his answer. "No man.....not since you." She brushed her lips against his gently.

Luke's breath caught and his eyes closed until she stopped teasing his lips. He was surprised by her admission but pleased with it. "No one but me?" He whispered.

Mara pulled his mouth to hers. *No one but you.* She replied through the Force and greedily drank in his kiss.

Luke felt a surge of happiness run through him, knowing that he was her first and he would be her only. Mara knew exactly what he was thinking.

"And why are you so sure of that, Luke?"

He gazed at the beautiful Jade eyes that had bewitched him so long ago. "Because I know that after I've made love to you over and over again," He laid his hand over her heart, "That you will start to feel it here."

Mara stroked the side of his face. "I hope you're right."

Luke's gaze held hers as his hand moved lower to cup the small mound and Mara moaned at the contact. Luke delicately kneaded the soft flesh beneath the flimsy nightshirt before deciding that it had to go. Mara helped as he pushed the shirt upward to pull over her head then self-consciously tried to lay her arm across her unprotected chest. Luke kissed her arm then gently moved it to the side.

"Don't ever hide with me, Mara. You are a beautiful woman, inside and out." He couldn't say more as his mouth couldn't stop from latching onto a small rosy nipple that seemed to jut out just perfectly for him.

Mara gasped and ran her hands through his hair as his lips secured her nipple and his tongue flicked over it. He switched to the other one and Mara was wondering if she could stand the sensations this man was sending through her. Luke's lips let go of her breast and his hand kneaded her again while his mouth moved to attack hers with a passion that no one would have expected from the passive Jedi Master.

Their tongues frolicked around one another and Mara felt as if Luke were breathing for her and she for him. She felt Luke's hand slid lower and his finger run across the band of her sleep pants. She trembled as his finger would dip under the band then quickly back on top of the material. He finally let his hand slide lower to caress the aching joint between her legs.

Mara gasped against Luke's relentless kisses as he gently rubbed her through the material, thrilling him that she was wet for him already. Wanting and needing to go further, Luke used the Force to help him slid the thin pants off Mara's hips with his lips leaving hers only to gently suckle her collarbone and the base of her throat. Mara shuddered at the flashes of fire it sent through her as Luke's hand once again slipped between her legs and touched her for the first time. Luke stopped nibbling on her neck and drew a few deep breaths as he felt his control slipping. He wanted her so badly that he ached but he was determined to prolong this joining. There had been too many things they had not shared the first time.

Mara looked at him in surprise as Luke shifted upon his knees. "Luke...."

Luke kissed her once again. "Just trust me." He waited for her to nod before nudging her legs apart with his knees. He trembled slightly as his manhood brushed against her core, but instead of plunging in, Luke moved his entire body lower. He kissed a trail down her body until he encountered soft curls then he dipped even lower.

Mara arched all the way off the bed when Luke's tongue flicked across her folds then in between. She called out to him through the Force and Luke stopped for a second and their mind joining left them both breathless. As it had been before, they could only feel one heartbeat, one mind, one soul as the two Jedi joined in total harmony. Luke resumed his care of Mara, able to feel her pleasure through their bond as she writhed on the bed, clutching the sheet in her hands.

Unable to handle to withstand much longer, Luke gave Mara one last nibble then kissed his way back up, stopping to once again tease a pert breast that called to him. He drew even with Mara, still on his hands and knees, pleased to see her face flushed and perspiration beading her brow.

Mara stared intently at the man knelt above her. She remembered the passion they had felt before but what he had just done was like nothing she had ever felt before. She wanted him to feel the same and her gaze slowly fluttered from his face, stopping as she pinched his slightly protruding nipples and loving the chill bumps that appeared on his flesh as she did so. Mara leaned up and Luke's arm went under her back to support her as her tongue flicked across the small, hardened nubs.

Luke held her small frame easily as she took her turn to tease him. He gasped and shivered as her teeth carefully nibbled at him and her hand slipped down his rippling stomach. Luke lowered her back against the bed to capture her mouth again as her hand wrapped around his hardened shaft. He involuntarily thrust against her at the contact and Mara giggled against his mouth. She pushed him up onto his knees, away from her and Luke complied, confused but not wanting to force her. His head was thrown back as Mara raised up again to watch her hand slid up and down him. Luke groaned and his head snapped back up as he felt something warm and soft envelope him. His surprise was soon forgotten as Mara sheathed him in out and out of her mouth, Luke clutching her hair. He suddenly pushed her back against the bed and could feel her worrying about him doing so. Luke once again nudged her legs apart.

"I can't hold out with you doing that." He mumbled into her ear just as he thrust deep inside her.

Mara arched upwards against him, wanting to feel her breasts pressed against his chest. Luke stilled himself for a minute, breathing in the scent of her, wanting this to end but never wanting it to end. Mara wrapped her arms around his waist, encouraging him to continue. Slowly Luke began moving inside her with slow, deliberate thrusts while her tightness was driving him closer and closer to the peak with each stroke. Mara's nails dug into his back and the slight pain only served to increase his thrusting. Mara's arm held him tightly as his thrusts rocked her back and forth on the bed.

He felt Mara tighten then convulse around him and Luke's pace picked up with fast, hard thrusts. Mara's pleasure washed over him as he recklessly sought his own release. Luke screamed at her through the Force as she cried out to him and they both were overcome with rippling wave after wave of pleasure as their bodies, souls and minds once again found each other.

Luke rolled onto his back, bringing Mara with him and still buried inside her. She rested against the heaving Jedi and could hear him mumbling 'I love you' to her. She raised up slightly to look at him and smiled. She may not be ready right now, but there was no longer in doubt in her mind that Luke was correct. If he continued to make love to her this way, showing her how to love, then she would be able to say those three little words to him one day, and mean them.

Chapter 18

Mara smiled as Luke's face twitched and she again tickled his nose with a strand of her hair. This time he mumbled and rubbed his nose. Mara was finding it hard to contain her laughter at his discomfort.

Again, she tickled the tip of his nose with her hair, expecting him to mumble or rub it as he had done all the previous times. She yelped as Luke's hand closed around her wrist and he pushed her back against the bed, bringing his leg over and straddling her.

"Luke, let me up." She was still laughing as he was still rubbing his itching nose.

"No, not until I get a little payback." He leaned close to her and spoke in a low, sexy voice.

Mara wiggled underneath him, watching his eyes close when she struggled against him. "What were you saying about payback, Jedi?"

Luke's eyes reopened and he stared down at the beauty below him. "You are wonderful, Mara Jade."

Mara found herself becoming more and more accustomed to his compliments. In fact, she found herself thriving on them. "Thank you." She mumbled right before his lips found hers again. Luke rolled back off her and Mara was surprised. "Why did you stop?"

Luke hurriedly stood and pulled his pants on, amused and embarrassed that Mara watched him. He held up her shirt, then tossed it away. Grabbing one of his much longer shirts, he held it up. "The captain needs to check on her ship."

He watched Mara's eyes widen, surprised at herself for not doing so already. "Turn around." She made a grab for the shirt but Luke stepped away.

"Oh no, Jade. You come and get it." He grinned at her. "It's only fair since you saw me."

Mara gathered the blanket around her but Luke clicked his tongue at her. "No, no, no. Just you, Mara. I dare you."

He knew that was the right thing to say when her gaze narrowed and she let go of the blanket to stand. Luke was unabashed as his eyes roamed up and down her. Mara waited until his gaze was back on her face. "Are you done looking now, Skywalker?"

Luke grinned. "For now." He watched as Mara turned her back to him to slip her arms into the button up shirt before he pulled her against him. His face was buried in her neck as his nimble fingers buttoned a few of the buttons, careful to always brush against her skin as much as possible. "But I want to look much longer when we are done in the cockpit."

Luke released her and strode out the door, leaving a heavily breathing Mara behind. She hurriedly turned and rushed after him, his laughter ringing through the hallway.

Luke sat down in the co-pilot's chair, always mindful of his place, and waited for Mara to catch up. She breezed by him and started to sit in her chair when Luke's arm snaked out to pull her into his lap. "Here's an empty seat for you."

Mara wiggled a bit then grinned. "Doesn't feel too empty to me."

Luke's eyes widened and he started to reply when the com went off. Mara flipped the top up on the unit so whomever the message was from would display on the screen. "It was rerouted from my com aboard the Wild Karrde here." She sighed. "It's Jervis."

Mara looked at Luke and his expression belayed his irritation. "So put him through."

Mara chuckled. "You have no shirt on and I only have your shirt on."

"So, put him through." She realized he was serious. She straightened her shirt a bit then pushed the transmit button. Luke pulled her back against him closer just as Jervis' face appeared.

"Mara, dear, how wonderful to see you..." He stopped as he noticed her appearance and the fact that she was sitting on the Jedi Master's lap.

Luke smiled at the dumbfounded look. "Hello, Jervis." He drawled.

Jervis face flushed slightly. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

Luke's laugh rang out. "Oh, we wouldn't have answered the com if we weren't through." Luke loved the deeper blush on the man's face.

Mara elbowed Luke's stomach. "What did you want, Jervis?"

"I just wanted to check on Talon."

Luke couldn't resist. "Try calling the medcenter. We're on our way back to Coruscant and won't talk to Talon until then." He reached past Mara to turn the holocom off.

Mara shook her head. "What is it with the two of you? I've never seen you act this way before."

Luke shrugged. "I don't know. It bothers me the way he pursues you even when I'm around. He doesn't respect you, me or this marriage."

Mara knew he was right. "I don't know why he does that..." Again the com beeped and Mara leaned closer to it. "We're popular today. It's Leia."

She started to get up again but Luke held her still. "Turn it on."

Mara was appalled. "This is your sister, Luke."

"And we are married. And she needs to understand that." Luke waited for her to argue but she only sighed.

"Just remember that I was opposed to this if it backfires on you." She reached over and thumbed the button again and a second later, Leia appeared with Han behind her.

Leia's eyes widened and her greeting died on her lips while an audible pop was heard when Han clamped his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing aloud.

Luke and Mara only looked at them until Luke spoke first. "Hello Han, Leia. It's good to see you."

Leia took a deep breath to regain her composure and she took in their surroundings. "You're on the Jade's Fire?"

Mara decided to jump right in. "Yes, Leia. We're on our way back to Coruscant. In fact, we'll be there by midday tomorrow."

Leia clapped her hands together and laughed. "Oh, that's wonderful." It felt strange to be speaking to Mara about this but from their appearance and the way Luke's hand was rubbing his wife's back, she was beginning to wonder if she had been wrong about these two.

"When you get back...the four of us need to go to dinner." Leia took a deep breath. "To show our support, our unity."

Mara smiled for the first time. "Thank you. That would be nice...I would like to get to know Luke's family a bit better."

Again Leia was surprised. She had never seen this softer side of Mara. "Yes, that would be nice."

Luke knew the two women were growing tired of pleasantries. "Is anything wrong, Leia?"

She shook her head no at her fair-headed brother. "No, everything is fine. I was...just worried about you."

Han finally sat down beside Leia. He wasn't laughing any longer but his amusement was evident. "So, kid, how goes the trip home?"

Mara glared at him, Luke blushed and Leia hid her face. "Oh, Han." She mumbled.

Mara wasn't about to let the scoundrel off the hook. "The trip home goes good, Solo. So good that I…"

"Mara." Luke didn't know what might come out of her mouth.

She glanced at him. "I was just going to say that I don't think I have ever experienced such a short trip before."

"Neither have I." He mumbled and pulled Mara's head closer for a kiss. She pulled back and giggled at the look on his face.

*Your sister and brother in law.* She reminded him.

Luke's gaze went back to the screen where Han and Leia both watched them. "Uh, we'll see you tomorrow, then?" He was sure they could hear the strain in his voice.

Han chuckled. "Yes, meet us at our apartment at 1900 hours tomorrow?"

Luke nodded, knowing they would arrive much earlier than that but they still needed time to themselves. "Yes, that gives us time to shower and stuff."

Han couldn't resist. "Just don't let that stuff make you late." He emphasized. This time Leia did giggle and she waved to them.

"Behave, kid." Han reached for the switch to terminate the call, "Don't hurt him, Mara. Or maim him or break anything or…"

Leia pushed him aside and laughing, flipped the switch herself. The holocom screen went black and Luke laughed. "Well, that went well."

Mara didn't answer but stood and checked the dials on the controls of the Fire. Luke's eyes watched her carefully. "What's bothering you, love?"

Mara didn't even flinch when he used his endearment for her this time. "Nothing." She finished her check and started out of the cockpit. Luke easily caught her arm and stopped her. Standing, he faced her.

"Tell me what's wrong?" He pleaded, knowing that she was worried.

"I ...it will just be strange around Han and Leia. But she does seem to be trying."

Luke hugged her close. "Leia is trying and we'll be fine with them."

Mara loved feeling his arms around her. She had never felt as safe as she did in his arms. After a few minutes, she pulled away and they walked hand in hand back toward their cabin.

Leia stood up from the com unit, still laughing at her husband and his antics with Luke and Mara. Han stood and leaned against the large housing unit of their personal holocom while Leia paced about.

"Leia, hon, tell me that you see it now." Han had known from the second he had seen the newlyweds on the screen that it was perfect for Leia to see them like that.

Leia sighed, her mood still upbeat from seeing her brother happy. "I do see it, Han. There is something there."

"But?" Han knew his wife well.

She shrugged. "Is it love? Are they in love with one another?"

Han sighed. "I think they are but you never know with these two." He chuckled again. "They'll be back much earlier than we thought. Can we still pull this off?"

Leia walked closer to him. "Yes, we have to. Let's get working on this." Leia grabbed a list, tore it in two and handed half of it to her husband. "You start with these people on the comlink and I'll do this part."

Han nodded and readily took his half of the list. This was going to be more rushed than they thought, but they could still do it. Luke and Mara needed this and even more than that, this family needed this.

Only a few standard hours behind the Jade's Fire, another small ship made its way toward Coruscant. The sole occupant on the ship sat in the pilot's chair and stared out at the blackness, his face distorted in anger. An anger directed towards a Jedi Master who stood in his way of completing the mission he had been hired to do and towards the female who was his mission.

Chapter 19
The next day

  Mara slowly eased the Jade's Fire onto the Coruscant landing pad and smiled at the familiar clank and rumble that assured her of a sound landing. She began powering down the Fire and couldn't help but feel lighthearted as Luke sat forward and began helping her. Apparently he had been listening to all the instructions that she had been giving him about the Fire since they had begun their journey home.

*That's not all you've been instructing me on.* Luke's voice softly floated through her mind and Mara turned to gape at him.

"Me? I seem to recall that a certain Jedi Master is the one that is having a hard time doing anything but staying in bed." She tried to appear tiffed but she knew her eyes were laughing as much as his were. She unstrapped herself, with the intention of making a pointed exit but Luke had also slipped his seat restraints off.

Just as Mara walked past his chair, Luke pushed her against the wall and pressed his body against hers, grinning from ear to ear. "The bed had nothing to do with it, Mara. Neither did the shower or the..."

Mara's hand clamped over Luke's mouth before he could continue to rattle off any more of the places they had 'frequented' all day yesterday and half of this morning. "Skywalker, that will be enough from you." She tried to sound stern, though not enough to derail his playful mood.

Luke sighed, loving being able to make Mara laugh. "Oh Mara, have you finally had enough of me?" Mara stared at him with an incredulous look on her face. She had never seen Luke so carefree and in such a mood before.

She kissed him as hard as she could. "I don't think I'll ever get enough of you." She growled against his lips as Luke responded by not releasing her mouth but deepening the kiss until their bodies began to burn with a dull ache.

Mara moaned as Luke's hands rubbed up and down her back with an occasional dip down lower to gently grind her against himself. Mara arched her head back and allowed the Jedi to plunder her neck with kisses. It was as if the two of them were made for each other the way Luke knew exactly where to kiss and how long to nibble before moving on. She felt his laughter against the base of her throat before she actually heard it.

"I don't think we've tried it against the wall, Jade." His voice low and overflowing with desire.

Mara laughed as the ache continued to swell throughout her entire body. There was no longer any doubt in her mind that Luke Skywalker had claimed her body as his own and taught it to respond to him and only him. Mara shuddered as Luke brought a hand around to her front and caressed her breast with fierce determination and urgency. There would be no teasing and coaxing this time, only two people coming together from a desperate need.

Luke's hand moved down her body until his finger closed around the fastener to Mara's pants and he impatiently fumbled with it, his mouth finding hers and his tongue forcing its way into her mouth. Mara suddenly pushed him away and pulled out of his embrace. Unsteadily, she took a few steps back toward the front of the ship. Luke stood rooted to the spot, stunned at her abrupt halt to their lovemaking.

Mara grinned at him. "One...one thing I forgot to show you." She hit a small triangular button on the small console to the right of her seat and a protective metal sheathing immediately began covering the windows.

Luke grinned and waited until the windows were covered, giving them total privacy, before he lunged at Mara and pushed her into the co-pilots chair. Mara giggled as Luke pulled off each of her boots and threw them toward the wall they had just pressed against. Luke then pulled Mara back to her feet and his thumbs hooked through the waistband of her pants and undergarments and he pushed them off her slim hips.

Mara began backing up and Luke followed. Their mouths intertwined, as did their hands the entire time. Mara continued to move backwards until they found themselves in the small hallway leading from the cockpit of the Fire to their cabin. She waited until they were directly in front of their cabin then she released Luke and stepped inside. Luke stood in the doorway and watched his beautiful wife for only a second before following her into the cabin and pulling her close again. Mara kissed Luke and playfully nibbled at his lip before slipping her hand from around Luke's neck to his chest and then lower.

Luke groaned as Mara unbashfully rubbed her hand over the front of his trousers where it had become uncomfortably tight with the foreplay they had indulged in. Mara let go of Luke and their eyes held each other's as she unsnapped the buckle of his pants and slowly eased the zipper down. Luke's eyes closed briefly and his lips parted in a slight pant as she lowered the zipper then slid his pants, along with his underwear, off his hips just enough to reveal his aroused state. Making sure that she rubbed against him, Mara started to help Luke out of his trousers but he only impatiently pushed them lower off his hips then pushed her backwards onto the bed.

Mara was as hungry as he was and wasted no time in wrapping her legs around his hips and arching up to meet her husband's impatient entry. Luke sank deeply into his wife with his first thrust and all thoughts of love and foreplay vanished as the two lovers simply clung to each other and rode a fast, furious pace toward ecstasy. Luke's movements became steadier after the first few, erratic thrusts and his mouth suckled at her ear.

Hearing his heavy breathing and low groans only served to drive Mara closer to the edge as Luke pounded harder and faster until she thought she would scream in pleasure. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she held him tighter as every fiber in her body screamed out to him. There was no Force usage, only their natural instinctive cries for each other through their souls and hearts.

Luke felt Mara tighten around him with small convulsions and he raised up onto his elbows to watch the ripples of pleasure flood her face as she tumbled over the peak and into bliss. His face flushed at the site of her parted lips and closed eyes and the way her breath came in short gasps.

"Mara." His voice low and guttural. Her eyes flew open and she held his face in her hands, watching him intently as his eyes squeezed shut and his teeth gritted together as he thrust as hard as he could then stilled against her as he emptied himself inside her. Mara let go of his face when his head reared backwards and his mouth opened with a low, shuddering moan. She again pulled his face back closer to her as his thrusting resumed, but at a much slower pace. When at last, Luke was spent; she pulled him close and kissed him deeply; moved by seeing how much he enjoyed their joining.

"Love you, Mara." He mumbled against her lips before sliding out of her and slipped to the end of the bed. He adjusted his trousers and refastened them, staring down at the woman still lying before him on the bed. It worried him that he craved her so much, but he felt as if he wouldn't be able to breathe without her yet she took his breath away every time he had her.

Mara watched Luke, knowing he was worried about the intensity he had just displayed. She slowly rose and crawled to the end of the bed before raising up on her knees in front of him. "Luke...I..."

Luke quickly put a finger to her lips. "No, not like this. Not in the heat of the moment." He whispered. He wanted to hear what she had to say, but more than that; he had to know that she meant it.

Mara sighed audibly, not wanting to say what she felt she needed to but wasn't ready for. "You know me so well," She kissed him gently. "If you'll take our bags to the ramp, I'll be right there."

Luke rubbed tenderly caressed the side of her face. "Take your time, Mara. I'll be waiting when you're ready." He stepped away and grabbed their two large carryalls before disappearing out the door. Mara stared after him, knowing it wasn't just waiting for her to get dressed and meet him at the ramp that he was referring to.

Mara slung her small bag over her shoulder and walked toward the cockpit to do a quick final check that everything had been properly shut down in their previous hurry. She did a thorough check and was about to leave the small area when her comlink went off. She made her way out of the cockpit, down the hallway toward the ramp of her ship before thumbing it on.

"Jade here." She answered briskly just as she came up behind him. Luke whirled around to see who she was talking to.

"Jade? Shouldn't you be saying Skywalker now?"

Mara couldn't help but feel anxious as she recognized the voice. "Bryce? How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, Mara, and yourself?"

Mara was not normally one for small talk but in her opinion, this man deserved it. "I'm fine, Bryce. What can I do for you?"

"Well, do you know where Luke is?" They could plainly hear the hope in his voice. Luke stepped closer to Mara and she held the comlink towards him.

"I'm standing here beside Mara, Bryce." He replied.

Bryce laughed softly. "Good. I was hoping that you were still together."

Luke's eyebrow arched at the lawyer's comment. "Still together?"

Bryce laughed heartily. "No, not that way. I talked to Talon and he said you were due on Coruscant. I had hoped to catch you both together before you left the ship." Luke leaned closer and kissed Mara on the lips. Just a feather light kiss but enough for her to know that he didn't intend on letting her out of his sight.

Mara's curiosity got the best of her. "What do you need, Bryce?"

"I need the two of you to come by and sign a few documents that I just received from the Magistrate."

Mara's heart skipped a beat and Luke grabbed the comlink. "What kind of documents? What's going on?"

Bryce hurriedly interrupted. "Nothing is wrong, Luke. It's just the final ruling handed down by the Magistrate dismissing the trial."

Luke took a deep breath. "We'll be there shortly if that works for you?"

"That sounds perfect. Do you remember where my office is?" They had only been there once right after Mara had been bailed from jail.

Mara nodded to Luke and he answered Bryce. "Yes, we know the way. See you soon."

Bryce responded affirmatively so Luke thumbed the comlink back off and handed it back to Mara, who was strangely quiet. "This isn't a bad thing, Mara."

She took her comlink, clipped it back to her belt and activated the ramp while Luke hefted the bags back over his shoulders. "I just don't look forward to visiting the Justice Center again."

They walked down the ramp and it ascended and locked behind the exiting couple. Several people gawked at Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade Skywalker as they walked from the docking bay with their arms around each other, demonstrating closeness as if they had just returned from a honeymoon.

Mara paced in the hallway outside Bryce's office, not enjoying the wait to see him. They had dumped their bags in their apartment and came straight to the Justice Center to find Bryce unavoidably detained in an impromptu meeting with another client. Mara continued to pace until Luke finally took her by the elbow and maneuvered her against the wall. His hands went on either side of her shoulders and he smiled down at her worried expression.

"Everything is fine, Mara." He tried to reassure his wife, knowing that being in the Justice Center was putting her on edge.

She reached up and caressed the side of his face. "Yes, everything is fine." She grinned. "I just don't want to see any slimy Bothans today."

Luke instinctively reached out through the Force and Mara stiffened when the smile faded from his face. "Luke, what is it? Is he here?"

Luke knew she could reach out and find out for herself. "Yes, and approaching us quickly." He answered.

Mara looked around Luke and down the hallway that led to the turbolifts. "Oh wonderful." She started to move out of his slight embrace but Luke stopped her. She wasn't used to seeing the devious look in his eyes when she glanced up at him. "What?"

"Well," Luke kissed her forehead, " Bryce did say to convince everyone that we were a couple."

Mara giggled when he kissed the tip of her nose. "Yes, he did and Borsk would definitely be one we should convince."

Luke crushed Mara against him, "My thoughts exactly." His mouth attacked hers with a playful, over exaggerated kiss. Mara reached out to pinpoint Borsk's location and was surprised to sense him only a few meters away. She twisted slightly so Luke's back would be to Borsk and her hand slid down the Jedi's strong back to cup both his buttocks just as the Bothan started up their hallway.

*Mara!* Luke had almost let go of her when Mara had made her move.

*Shut up Jedi and show the Bothan exactly how intimately you know your wife.*

Luke swallowed his laugh, remembering exactly how hard that question had been for him to answer on the stand a few weeks ago. He turned them to push Mara against the wall, his mouth never stopping his relentless assault on hers. He pinched Mara lightly when she almost laughed as Borsk froze in his tracks, staring at the amorous couple in the hallway.

Luke wrapped his arms around Mara's waist and pulled her tight against him, raising her off the floor. Mara almost yelped and wrapped her arms around the Jedi's neck. Through the Force, they could both feel his overwhelming shock and disgust at their actions.

But then another feeling filtered through the Force, a feelingof amusement. Mara slowly peeked over Luke's shoulder at Bryce framed in the doorway to his office, a huge grin on his face and his client hurrying down the hall. She buried her head in Luke's shoulder.

*We are caught, Jedi.* She wiggled a bit to get free but Luke held her too tightly.

*Mara, now might be a good time for you to stood wiggling against me.* It was all Luke could do not to laugh.

She immediately stopped, her eyes shining with amusement at Luke's evident enjoyment of their performance. She carefully straightened her clothing, hoping her face wasn't as red as his. Borsk clenched his fist and started to say something before finally turning on his heels and heading back the way he had come. Luke finally turned around, with Mara still recovering behind him, to face their friend and attorney.

"Bryce, good to see you." Luke held out his hand and Bryce clasped it warmly.

"Good to see the two of you." He ushered them into his office. "Uh, I was going to ask how things are going but I don't think I'm going to." He was curious but he had learned to not ask too many questions where these two were concerned.

Mara grinned at Luke; glad the attorney was ignoring the scene in the hallway. "You have things for us to sign?"

Bryce laid several datapads in front of Mara. "You sign these and Luke needs to sign the top two." He watched as they did as he instructed, then he gathered the datapads up. "I'll have two sets of all the documents sent to Luke's apartment."

Mara nodded. "Thank you. Anything else?"

Bryce smiled at her, knowing that despite the show a few minutes ago, Mara was uncomfortable being here. "No, that's it. I'll contact you periodically if the need arises and if not, I'll send you a divorce contract whenever the time is right."

He glanced at both of them to get their reactions. Surprised, but pleased when they both stiffened. Mara sighed. "Thank you for your help, Bryce, and I mean that."

He nodded and she walked toward the door. "Coming, Skywalker?" Luke quickly shook Bryce's hand again then followed Mara. She had already entered the turbolift when he caught up with her. As soon as the door slid shut, Luke pulled her close.

"Now, where were we?" He whispered in her ear.

Mara felt the tension once again melt away as her husband worked his magic on her. "I'll show you when we get home, Jedi." The turbo door slid open at the same time she gave him a gentle squeeze and pulled out of him arms. Luke stood in the lift staring after her retreating back before recovering enough from her intimate gesture to jog up beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist and hugging her close for all to see and not caring who did.

Chapter 20
Later that day
Luke and Mara's apartment

  Mara stood beside the bed, clad only in her robe, staring down at the sleeping Jedi Master who looked more like an innocent Farmboy when he was asleep. Her heart felt lighter than it had in as long as she could remember and she looked forward to the future. Everything in her life had changed, and it was all because of this one man. Mara knelt beside the bed and couldn't resist running her hand through his unruly hair that was mused from their lovemaking. Mara smiled, recalling the scene earlier in the morning at Bryce's office that had resulted in their latest joining.

She also thought back to the previous morning when they had taken a huge step in their marriage and had then spent a glorious afternoon, night and morning making up for the last eight years of their platonic relationship Mara laughed softly. It was now approaching late afternoon and she could understand Luke's need for a nap. She could use a longer one herself.

Luke stirred a bit and yawned. "Wa's funny?" He mumbled, barely coherent.

Mara was sorry to have awakened the peacefully slumbering Jedi, but she loved the slight shiver he always gave her when his blue eyes opened and focused on hers.

"Sorry to wake you. I was just laughing thinking about how insatiable you've been since yesterday."

Luke also laughed and pushed himself up on one elbow so their faces were only inches apart. "I have a lot of time to make up for." He replied softly.

Mara kissed him gently. "Yes, we do...but now we have to get ready to meet Han and Leia for dinner."

Luke glanced at the wall behind Mara where the chrono hung and he groaned. "You should have woke me sooner."

"No, you needed the rest and we have plenty of time to get ready."

Luke arched an eyebrow at her. "Jade, I've seen you get ready before. It always takes forever."

Mara stood and smacked him playfully on the shoulder. "I guess I should start right away then." She then marched into the refresher across the hallway, swaying her hips as she went.

Luke relaxed back against the bed, not believing he could be so dumb. Then a smile slowly started creeping across his face when he heard Mara turn the water on. It wasn't a spraying sound but a full flowing sound of the bathtub being filled. He bounded out of the bed, not caring that he was naked and padded into the refresher. Grinning even more at the sight of Mara leaning over the tub, testing the water and adding bubbles, Luke grasped her by the hips as he pressed himself against her.

Mara immediately straightened up. "Luke..."

Her husband nibbled her ear gently before whispering into it. "Can I join you?"

Mara giggled as his hand slid to her front and he deftly pulled the sash holding the robe closed. "I don't know....it takes me so long to get ready that I shouldn't have any distractions."

Luke let go of Mara to slide the robe off her shoulders then he hurriedly picked her up with an arm under her knees and shoulders. Mara giggled as his tongue flicked across her lips. "I'll give you a distraction." He almost growled.

Luke stepped into the massive marble tub and sat down with Mara still in his arms. They both moaned slightly when the hot, steamy water covered most of their bodies as they sank into the half-filled tub. The water level soon rose even with the top of the tub but the two people in the bathtub never noticed, so intent on each other that nothing else mattered.

Luke laughed at the scowl on Mara's face as they exited the turbolift on Han and Leia's floor. "We're not late, Mara."

He nodded to the guards and they continued down the hallway to the entrance to his family's suite. He knew Mara was just nervous about having dinner with Han and Leia but he was determined to make her smile.

"I know that, Skywalker." She snapped back.

Luke suddenly twisted her around into his arms and kissed her with every ounce of passion he could muster. Mara was surprised at first then found herself giggling when the snickers of the guards grew louder. Luke's mouth left hers and nuzzled near her ear.

"That's better. I like hearing you laugh."

Mara knew the guards were still watching them so she spoke quietly. "That is why we are almost late, Luke. Stop that." She pulled away from him and straightened out the simple yet elegant silver dress she wore. Luke glanced at her hair as she did so and grinned.

Mara knew what he was thinking and she teased him gently. "Yes, Luke, you can take it down later, but for now, it stays up." Luke had done a wonderful job of washing her hair in the bathtub and had protested when she had piled it all atop her head with only a few strands fanning her face.

Luke's eyes flickered the entire length of her. "I look forward to taking it all down."

Mara flushed slightly and rang the buzzer on the door. "Behave, Skywalker." She snuggled against Luke when his arm went around her shoulders.

The door swooshed open and Han quickly drew them inside. "Welcome, welcome....on into the living room." He practically shoved the two of them from the foyer toward the adjoining room. Both Luke and Mara jumped when they entered the living area and several people called out 'Congratulations' to them. Mara looked behind her slightly and leveled Han with a glare while Luke was left speechless.

Leia rushed forward and Luke pulled her into his arms, kissing her forehead as he did so. Most of the people only watched the two of them, including Mara. She knew how much Luke had missed Leia and it was obvious that she had missed him just as much. They finally released one another and Leia smoothed out Luke's dark gray dinner jacket. "I'm glad you're home."

Luke tilted her face up to meet his gaze. "I'm glad to be home." He brushed the single tear from the corner of her eye that threatened to roll down her face.

Leia wondered if Luke had forgotten what she had asked him a few weeks ago when Mara's trial had ended. Though there was little doubt in her mind after seeing the brilliance in Luke's eyes and feeling the warmth and joy emanating from him, she still had to know...before taking the next step. She reached out to him, her eyes searching his. *Luke, do you love Mara?*

His gaze automatically went to his wife and he smiled before looking back at his sister. "With all my heart." He whispered aloud.

Leia chuckled to hide her relief and the emotions that wanted to spill out. Luke watched his sister breathe in calmly then turn towards his new wife. "Mara," Leia found this more difficult to do now that the woman was standing in front of her but she had no choice. "Welcome to this family."

Mara started when Leia held open her arms and even Luke was surprised by the action. Mara glanced at him, then stepped forward. She and Leia hugged each other awkwardly, trying not to get to close but attempting to show support to the other.

Leia couldn't help but offer one last plea. "Please don't ever hurt him, Mara. He loves you so much." She said softly, knowing only Mara would hear over the clapping crowd.

Mara raised her head slightly to look at Luke, his emotions showing clearly on his face. There could be no doubt to anyone that he loved the two women before him very deeply. "I will never hurt him, Leia. That I promise you." And she meant every word. No matter what happened or what she had to do, Luke would not be hurt by her.

They drew apart and Mara smiled at the slightly shorter woman. "Thank you."

Leia only nodded as Mara stepped around her to be drawn into Luke's powerful embrace. He breathed in the scent as he buried his face in her hair. "I love you, Mara." He whispered and Mara wondered if the thrill of hearing that would ever go away. She opened her mouth to tell him something but felt them being drawn apart.

Luke laughed as Wedge and Corran each took him by an arm. "You know, Luke," Wedge began, " we really should be mad at you. We had a legitimate reason to have a bachelors party and you had to go get married all hush-hush and knock us out of it."

Corran agreed. "We could have had dancers and..." He immediately quieted when Mirax came to stand beside him.

Mara rolled her eyes at the boys pretending to be men. They would never change. Iella linked her arm through Wedge's. "Congratulations to you both."

Mara smiled, genuinely liking Luke's friends, but especially Iella and Mirax. "Thank you."

"Yes," Luke wondered how he could ever doubt if he would have the support of his friends where this marriage was concerned, " it means more than you can imagine to have you here congratulating us."

Wedge understood perfectly. "Both of you are our friends....friends stick together."

Iella squeezed his arm, agreeing with his words wholeheartedly. "That's right and don't the two of you forget that. If you need us, we're here." She added.

Mara stared at them all. She knew that they were friends of Luke's and even her to some extent, but this deep sense of loyalty was new to her. She had only experienced it with Luke and now here were all these others extending it to her.

Luke stepped over to Mara's side and slid his arm around her waist. He could feel her being overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. He held onto her tightly as Wes and Hobbie congratulated the two of them, followed by Lando and then the woman that they hadn't expected to see. Mara stiffened slightly. "Mon Mothma."

The graying woman smiled at the two of them. "I knew from the moment I heard the first insult, that the two of you were destined to be together. That much passion can never be contained. Congratulations and don't ever lose sight of each other."

She moved away and Mara made an effort to close her gaping mouth. She looked at Luke and giggled at his incredulous expression. Leia poked him in the ribs from her place behind him and he snapped his mouth shut. She stepped up beside her brother as Mon Mothma was the last guest.

"I wanted to keep this simple and I only invited your closest friends and Mon Mothma wanted to be sure that she let you know that you have her support. Admiral Ackbar is on Mon Calamari but he sends his best wishes for a happy and prosperous future."

Luke gave Leia a quick hug. "Thank you for this. We needed it."

Leia nodded toward her husband. "It was all Han's idea. He convinced me that a show of support was exactly what the two of you, and this family, needed."

Mara couldn't resist returning the ribbing he always dished out to her. "Why Solo, didn't know you were that smart."

Luke wanted to interrupt before the two of them started arguing. "Where are the kids?" He had expected them to bound down the stairs at any time. Leia grinned.

"Winter has the children for the night so we could concentrate on the two of you."

"And," Han interrupted, "Chewie is on Kashyyyk with his family but he sends all the best to the two of you."

Luke grinned. Chewbacca had always been a good friend to him and he was glad the wookie was spending time with his own wife and son. "Thanks, Han."

Leia pushed Han toward the door leading into the dining area. "I think it might be time to eat now." She began moving people toward the dining area but stopped when a barreled droid rolled into the room. Leia stopped and watched as her brother approached his little friend.

"Artoo, I wondered where you were." Luke knelt beside the droid as he almost rocked back and forth with hoots and whistles. Luke was either oblivious or didn't care that almost everyone in the room was watching them. The Jedi Master affectionately patted the droid's domed head and tried to shush him.

"I'm glad to see you as well, friend." Luke listened for a moment then laughed. "Yes, Mara and I are still married."

Mara couldn't resist walking over to her husband squatted beside the droid. "Hello, Shorty." She grinned at his mournful hoot. "What did he say, Luke?"

Luke looked up at her. "He wanted to know if he could come home." He answered quietly. The smile faded from Mara's face at Artoo's simple request. She would never fully understand how Luke and this droid were so close, but she couldn't deny him that.

"Of course it's ok. I mean, technically he knew you first..." A few of the people in the room giggled but Luke paid them no mind. He turned back to Artoo.

"Did you hear that? Mara is fine with you coming home." Again, he listened to the droid. "Artoo, you have to learn to behave as well."

Mara was indignant. "As well? Did he say that I needed to learn to behave?" Her hands went to her hips.

Luke listened to Artoo beep a few times then patted his head again. "Artoo, stop saying things like that."

Mara stepped closer, sizing up the droid on where the best place to land her kick would be. "What's the rolling bucket of bolts saying?"

Luke pushed himself up and shook his head. "He's worried that you will blast him. He's reciting all the threats in the past that you have made against him."

Mara laughed suddenly. "We could be here awhile if he keeps that up."

Luke groaned. "Mara, this is serious. He's afraid of you."

"Who isn't?" Han interjected and Mara turned toward him just in time to see Wedge slap him on the back. She narrowed her gaze and both men quieted down. She then turned back to Luke.

"So tell him that I won't intentionally hurt him." She offered.

"Mara, you tell him...and leave out the intentionally part." Luke knew the two of them could get along if they tried.

Mara was none too thrilled as she leaned closer to the droid, who promptly backed up. Mara almost grinned in response to the soft laughter from the group at Artoo's movement. "Look, droid, if you want to come home then you should. I won't...hurt you in any way as long as you stay out of my way."

Luke groaned and shook his head. "See, Artoo, she's not going to hurt you."

The droid was silent for a moment then slowly rolled back toward Mara. She was surprised and straightened up to look at Luke when the droid whistled and tooted.

"What did he say?" She should have known by the smile on Luke's face.

"He wants to come home." Luke frowned when the droid hurriedly rolled toward the foyer. "Now, Artoo?"

He got an affirmative beep just as the droid rolled from sight. The opening and closing of the door was barely heard before everyone in the room burst out laughing. Luke looked at Leia and Han. "Uh... Artoo is leaving now."

He pulled Mara close and she responded by wrapping her arm around his neck and kissing him deeply, his happiness and carefree nature influencing her own mood.

They finally drew apart and Luke noticed that Leia had heralded everyone else toward the dining room. He let go of Mara and held his hand out. "Ready, love?"

She nodded and the two walked hand in hand to the dining area.

Over a standard hour later, Mara was feeling good as she sought Luke out in the crowded living room. This had been a great get together. She found Luke talking to Wedge in the corner and immediately made her way over.

"Sorry to interrupt, boys." She tugged on Luke's arm. "I just got a message that a wedding gift arrived for us downstairs. The guard asked that we pick it up."

"A wedding gift?" Luke wasn't sure he'd ever get used to this.

Mara loved the twinkle in his eyes. "Yes, Luke. A gift for you and I."

Luke sat his drink down. "I'll go with you."

Mara handed his drink back to him. "I'll only be gone a few minutes and the guard is waiting for me. You stay here and I'll be back."

Luke didn't like the idea of her going alone. "Mara…"

"I'm a big girl, Skywalker." Her tone clearly showed him that his over protective attitude was at its limit with her.

He sighed, not wanting her to go alone but knowing she would have it no other way. "All right. Just hurry back." He smiled coyly when Mara kissed his cheek. "And be careful."

Mara smiled, nodded to Wedge and slipped off toward the door. Wedge didn't like the look on his friend's face. "What is it, Luke?"

The Jedi Master slowly looked at him. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Wedge groaned about the time Han grasped Luke by the elbow. "Shada D'ukal is on the holocom for you. She says it's urgent."

Luke felt the tightening in his chest and he knew things were already in motion. He hurried behind Han and wasted no time in getting answers. "Shada, what's going on?"

He sat on the bench in front of Han and Leia's personal holocom and stared intently at the woman on the screen, noticing how dark her eyes were. Shada was worried. "Luke, Investigator Dobbs let us know today that the man they had suspected of planting the bomb was released from custody a few days ago."

"What?" Luke almost yelled. He had thought this mess was about to be cleared up. "So they don't think that he had anything to do with the explosion?" He couldn't believe Dobbs wouldn't have contacted any of them sooner.

Shada sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy to explain. "They have no doubt that he planted the explosive but couldn't prove it." She answered quietly.

The tightening in his chest increased. Luke breathed uncomfortably. "So the man responsible isn't in jail." And neither is the person who hired him, Luke thought to himself. Then he noticed the look still on Talon's second in command's face. "What are you not saying? What's wrong, Shada?"

"The man, Manfield, left Dolis the same day the Jade's Fire lifted off." She steeled her voice but her concern still seeped through.

Luke stiffened as his first thought was of his wife. He immediately reached out through the Force towards Mara. *Mara, where are you?*

*Luke? What's wrong? I'm almost to the…*

Luke's breath caught then a low, agony filled moan erupted from him. "Noooo!" He cried out as he felt the pain that Mara suddenly felt at the back of her head before darkness closed around her. The glass he was holding shattered in his hand and Wedge grabbed him by the collar.

"Luke, what is it?" His friend had suddenly went pale and a groan of agony escaped him. Wedge and Han maneuvered him around from the com and Leia knelt in front of him, her mind seeking his. She relived what he had felt then kissed his cheek. "It will be all right, Luke. We'll find her."

Leia stood as Luke pushed himself up. He flung the cloth away that Han was trying to wrap around his bleeding hand. He turned back around to face Shada. "He has her. I felt it just now."

Shada met his gaze. "Find her, Luke.."

With that, Luke stepped around everyone and raced toward the door, Han and Wedge behind him. Han grabbed Corran when they all rushed through the room. "Come'on Horn, we may need another Jedi."

Corran did as he was told, awkwardly handing off his drink to Mirax as he did. Everyone left in the room watched the men rush after the Jedi Master then they turned to Leia as she walked into the room; a blood stained towel in her hand.

Chapter 21

Luke had calmed down considerably by the time the men all crowded into the turbolift. He punched the bottom for the main floor and berated himself for letting Mara go by herself. Even if Manfield had been in custody, they were sure he had been hired by someone to do the explosion and until that person was discovered, they had to be extra careful. The turbolift doors slid open at the main floor of the former Imperial Palace so Han, Wedge and Corran all started out of the turbolift but Luke held back, still standing at the rear of the lift. Han frowned at the pensive look on his brother in law's face. "What is it, Kid?"

Even though Luke couldn't feel his wife through the Force, he could still pick up traces of her presence, and he didn't here. The Jedi Master stepped out of the turbolift slowly, his eyes scanning the area even though his instincts told him it was useless. "She wasn't on this floor." He answered then turned and stepped back into the still open turbolift doors. The other men followed, straining to hear Luke's explanation. "She didn't get off on this floor. I can feel it." He stared at the numerous buttons on the panel, struggling with the Force to figure out which floor out of the numerous one would be the right one.

Han threw his hands up in exasperation, knowing every moment counted at this point. "Then where?" He had never seen Luke look so intense and it worried him. They had to find Mara.

Wedge leaned past Luke and pushed a button. "The basement. We're close to it already and what better place to abduct someone...especially a Jedi."

Luke nodded but didn't look at his friend. "Good, Wedge. That makes sense." He didn't say anything else until the turbolift stopped on the first level of the basement. The doors slid open and Luke shuddered as the remnants of Mara's pain echoed through the space. "She was here."

The Jedi suddenly staggered as he stepped out of the turbolift and Wedge gripped his arm. "Luke?" Wedge held onto Luke's arm and was stunned at the pain that showed on his face.

Corran watched his Master closely. He had felt it as well, though no where near as strongly as Luke had. Mara was regaining consciousness and she was in a lot of pain. Luke straightened and shook his arm free of Wedge. He took a few steps forward in the dimly lit basement, his eyes taking in the tall support beams and various twists and turns where divider walls had been built. Luke knew they were running out of time and he took another step, calling out to the one he loved.

*Mara, tell me where you are. Show me.* He pleaded with her.

*Luke...Luke....* Came the faint response.

Luke pushed away the rising frustration and concentrated as Mara showed him as best she could where she was, though using the Force was torture to her aching head. Luke clenched his fists and he 'saw' how Manfield was almost dragging her through the basement, toward the exit and his waiting transport.

Luke reached out to Corran, showing him where, then took off running toward the other side of the basement. He had very little time before Manfield would be able to escape with Mara and all of his energy focused on his running.

Wedge and Han gasped at the Jedi as he suddenly broke into a run away from them. "Luke?" Han called out, knowing that he must have somehow found Mara.

Corran turned to Han and Wedge. "I know where he's going. Let's go." The three men began following Luke at a slower run.

Luke ran through the maze of divider walls, support beams and large storage bins to finally round one such bin to slide to a stop at the sight before him.

Mara was struggling with Manfield, the back of her head covered in blood. She was on her knees, trying to pull away while Manfield had his arm around her waist, trying to pick her up or pull her to the exit. Mara was weak and it should have been easy for him but she was calling upon the Force in short bursts to help her even though it left her head pounding more and pushed her almost to the brink of unconsciousness.

Luke's anger at the sight of his wife being manhandled rose from the pit of his stomach and his hands clenched and unclenched as he stalked the last few steps to their position. Manfield looked up, mortified to see the Jedi Master. He released Mara and lunged at Luke and the two went rolling onto the floor.

Mara held the back of her head and watched the two, thankful that Luke was here but worried about the anger that was wrapped around him. She tried to struggle to her feet but cried out as a pain shot down her neck and she slumped back to her knees.

Luke knew Manfield was throwing himself toward him but he made no attempt to get out of the way, instead letting the man collide with him. He wanted Manfield to hit him, then he could hit back. There would be no Force, no Jedi Master, only Luke Skywalker. Manfield's shoulder caught Luke in the midsection and the impact sent them both sprawling to the floor. After rolling about and twisting around, Luke finally pinned Manfield to the floor and had drawn his fist back when he heard Mara cry out from another attempt at standing. Unable to stop himself, Luke glanced at her and that was all the man responsible for Mosey's death needed. His fist connected with the underside of Luke's chin and it painfully snapped his head backwards. Manfield wasted no time in shoving Luke off him and bringing his knee into the Jedi Master's back.

"You won't have her, Jedi!" He screeched. "She belongs with another."

Luke groaned in pain then tucked himself into a ball and rolled away from the crazed man. Luke untucked and jumped to his feet, more than ready to finish this.

The two men circled one another, looking for the opportunity to finish the fight. Luke had not missed Manfield's earlier comment and though he couldn't prove it yet, it confirmed who he thought was behind this. "Who does Mara belong with, Manfield? Who hired you to plant the explosive?"

Manfield face twisted and he laughed at the Jedi's attempt to learn the truth. "You will find out, Jedi, because he will stop at nothing to get her."

Manfield growled, his anger unleashed and running rampant. He dove toward Luke who sidestepped and brought his knee up against the murderer's stomach then to his chin as Manfield slumped to his knees. Luke risked a quick glance toward Mara when Manfield slid to his knees and was relieved to see that the other men had arrived and that they were attending to her. Luke looked back down at Manfield just in time to see him blindly throw his fist toward him but the man was still dazed and his fist missed Luke completely.

Luke watched as Manfield's fruitless attempt caused him to fall forward on his hands and not just his knees. "Who hired you, Manfield? Tell me who is responsible."

The man before the Jedi only shook his head, determined not to give out the name of his employer.

Luke stepped backward slightly, intending on letting the beaten man be until he saw Manfield's hand attempt to reach for his blaster. Luke's fist connected with the side of his nemesis' face and the man slumped to the floor, unconscious. Luke stood staring down at the man for a moment before finally making his way over to his wife.

Corran was the first one upon the scene with Han and Wedge right behind him. Corran carefully knelt beside Mara and she shamelessly leaned against him. Corran carefully moved her hair that now hung loose and tinted with blood aside to see how bad her wound was. Mara pulled away from his probing hands, mumbling for him to watch Luke instead. Corran's gaze shifted to the Jedi Master whose temper was surprisingly calm against the man responsible for the blood that seeped from the wound on the back of Mara's head.

"Luke is fine, Mara. It's you that we need to worry about." Corran had no doubt that the Jedi was in control of the situation and of his own anger.

Wedge quickly knelt beside Mara and after looking at them all for the most suitable material, ripped off a good sized piece off her dress hem. He handed it to Corran who carefully pressed it against the wound on the back of her head. "Mara, what did he hit you with?" He asked.

Mara only shrugged and struggled to keep focused on Luke. Wedge slowly stood and moved beside Han as they watched their friend stop the man responsible for the death of his friend and the attempted kidnap of his wife. Wedge and Han's eyes were wide from watching the Jedi Master quickly getting the upper hand and keeping it. They both couldn't help but feel somewhat proud of the man who could instantly kill Manfield several different ways but didn't. Instead, he only did what was necessary to subdue the man then turned and walked toward his wife.

Mara was propped up against Corran and he helped her stand, against his better judgement, as Luke's gaze fell on her and concern poured from him. Corran released Mara and dropped the material that he had held against her wound just as Luke stopped in front of his wavering wife and their foreheads rested against each other's.

"Mara..." Luke's voice was quivering and he knew it but he didn't care. Having an idea of who Manfield would have taken Mara to made his blood boil and his heart wrench.

Mara closed her eyes, wishing her head wasn't throbbing so she could reach out to him through their bond. "I'm ok, Luke." She sighed as he shifted his head and kissed her gently.

"I love you, Mara." He kissed her again then started to step away as the sounds of a medical transport drew closer, its unmistakable siren growing stronger. Mara quickly grasped Luke's face in her hands, wobbling a bit as she did, but determined to not let him step away. Not this time.

"No, don't leave me." She blurted out, her words not exactly saying what she intended.

Luke smiled at her. "I will never leave you, Mara. I promise you that."

Mara pulled his face closer to gaze into his eyes, knowing that this was what he had been trying to show her all along. "Luke...I love you." Mara had never been more sure of anything in her life.

Luke stared at her, wanting to believe that he heard her correctly but barely daring to hope. Mara smiled at her lover and husband, trying to push back the pain that was growing in intensity at the back of her head. "Yes, I love you, Luke Skywalker."

A slow smile began to spread across Luke's face. The smile being hesitant at first but then bursting forth as Mara kept repeating the words. He cradled her head next to his, careful of her wound. "Thank you, Mara." He mumbled, words not coming easy at that moment.

They only held each other for a moment as Mara relished in how easily she had finally spoken those words to Luke and while Luke vowed to himself to make sure Mara would always know how much he loved her. The other three men looked on, trying not to be obvious but wanting to see these two people finally being totally honest with one another. Han's smirk grew wider when he thought of all Luke had been through to get to the one person he was destined to be with. But now, nothing was going to tear them apart.

The siren finally reached them and Mara winced at the sound, letting go of Luke's head to cover her ears.

Luke angrily jogged toward the transport, shutting the siren off through the Force and explaining why he had done so to the confused medical personnel. Suddenly his danger sense flared and Luke whipped around, not knowing what could be wrong now.

Corran had followed him toward the transport and was helping with the airsled for Mara. Han and Wedge both stood with Mara, who was staring toward Manfield. Luke felt her shock the second before he saw the man raise his blaster toward his wife.

"Mara." Luke's cry to Mara echoed through the basement as the Jedi Master saw the blaster discharge. Using the reflexes that the Force had provided him, Luke moved in a blur until he stood between Mara and the blaster.

Mara opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out as she heard Luke cry out in pain as his body absorbed the full brunt of the blaster shot directly in front of her.

Wedge grabbed Luke by the arm as the young man's body jerked then slumped to the floor. Han's blaster fire connected with Manfield with the first fire and his life ebbed away, leaving devastation in its wake.

Wedge had caught Luke and was carefully lowering him to the ground then he turned his friend over onto his back. Right above his heart, Luke's clothes were burned and Wedge's breath caught from all the blackened, burned flesh that had fused with his shirt from the blaster burn. Corran dropped to the ground beside Wedge, reaching through the Force to his Jedi Master, rubbing his pale face as he did so. He looked at Wedge and slowly shook his head no.

Mara tried to do the same, desperately trying to find some part of Luke in the Force. A low, guttural scream escaped from her as her world fell apart in front of her and she succumbed to unconsciousness as darkness engulfed her.

Several floors above them, everyone stood speechless when a pacing Leia suddenly sunk to her knees with tears forming in her eyes. She hugged her arms around herself and rocked back and forth, tears streaming down her face and crying out for her brother the entire time.

CONTINUED IN PART 3 (chapters 22-31)