Chapter 23        Chapter 24         Chapter 25         Chapter 26        Chapter 27       Chapter 28 Chapter 29        Chapter 30         Chapter 31    

LIVING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES
Part 3

Chapter 22

Mara Jade Skywalker groaned as she struggled to open her eyes, feeling as if she were pushing through a stone wall to do so. Her hand moved in slow motion to rest against the side of her head, though the back of her head was where the intense pain radiated from, heavy bandages kept her from reaching that area. Her hand brushed against the bandaging that wrapped her head and then the memory of what had happened came back in a rush, making her take a shuddering breath.

"She's starting to wake up." A foggy voice drifted through to her and Mara struggled to hear and understand. She felt something press against her neck followed by a sharp prick then her thoughts became more coherent. She finally managed to open her eyes and look around the room, a new room to her.

The sterile white surroundings and fact that she was in an almost flat position in a bed let her know right away that she was now in a medcenter. Mara pushed the white blanket off her shoulders a bit, realizing that she was still wearing her evening dress, then she lifted her head to look at the people in the room.

Mara frowned a bit when she saw Corran and Mirax Horn standing on one side of her while Han Solo stood on the other. Mara waited a few more seconds while the drug that had been injected in her pushed away her nausea while deadening the pain in her head. "Where's Luke?" Her parched mouth murmured.

Not knowing if she would let him or not, Han slid his arm under her shoulders to raise her to a more upright position. With no hesitation, Mara grasped Han's arm as he helped her while Corran readjusted her bed.

Han eased her back against the bed again and held a cup in front of her. "Drink this, Jade." She eyed him warily but when he went to put the cup against her lips, her hand closed around it and she sipped from it herself.

"Thanks," She mumbled, "Where is Luke?" Han took the cup when she was done and tossed it into the small trash compactor beside the massive bed. He eyed the machine beside the bed, following the tubing back to where it disappeared into Mara's arm, wanting to do anything but look or answer the woman.

Mirax and Corran glanced at each other until Mara repeated the question. "Where is my husband?" She remembered that Luke had been shot but he had to be doing better now. He was a Jedi Master and she knew he was going to be all right. "Fine, I'll find him myself." She hissed and looked at the tube and synthe-needle in her arm. Before anyone could stop her, Mara slid it out of her forearm and tossed it away from her, the machine beeping wildly as she did so.

She had started to swing her legs out of the bed when Han grabbed her arm and held her in place as Corran took the other one before she could make it all the way out of the bed. "Mara," The Jedi tried to reason, "listen to us."

Mara glared at them both, wishing that her strength would return and it didn't still hurt to draw on the Force to rid herself of these two. "Let me go." Her eyes narrowed and Mirax finally squeezed in beside her husband.

"He's just coming out of the bacta tank, Mara. We'll take you to him." She told Mara. "But you have to listen to us...please."

Mara didn't like the look in her friend's eyes. "What is it, Mirax?"

Corran and Han both let go of her arms as Mara swung her legs off the bed. Corran and his wife stepped aside as Han walked around to the side of the bed Mara was exiting from. He answered Mara when Mirax couldn't bring herself to. "Mara, Luke is in bad shape."

Mara swallowed hard. "How long ago was he wounded?" She had no idea how long she had been unconscious.

Han understood. "Almost 10 hours." He watched as Mara glanced out the small window off to the side of the room. Daylight sun was barely beginning to stream through it.

"And he's been in bacta the whole time?" She asked, her gaze returning to her brother in law's face.

"On and off ...they had to take him out a few times, " Han flinched at the memory, "when his heart stopped beating."

Mara's face paled and Mirax immediately clasped her friends arm. "Mara, he's not responding to the bacta and ..Luke has slipped into a coma."

Mara reached out through the Force, flinching as she did so, to find her husband but could find no trace of him. "Why can't I feel him?" Mara's emerald eyes sharpened as her strength grew. "Why can't I feel Luke?" She practically yelled at Corran.

"He's lost to us, Mara, even through the Force." His own voice quivering with the agony of Luke's situation.

Mara shook her head. "No, Luke would not leave me. I have to get to him." She slid off the bed and took a moment to steady herself.

Mirax grabbed Mara's shoes from the closet and Han helped support her as she slid into them. Mara tried to shy away from him but Han only looked at her. "I'm not letting go, Jade, so stop trying. You're still weak yourself and Luke would want me to take care of you."

Mara only stared at him a moment, seeing how desperate his emotions were. She nodded and they all made their way toward the fallen Jedi Master, Han's arm still wrapped tightly around Mara's shoulders.

Leia slowly raised her head from the edge of Luke's bed, her hand still gripping the lifeless one of her brother. She squeezed his hand then opened her palm so his hand was stretched out on hers. She gently rubbed his cold hand between her open ones, wanting to feel his warmth return, even if only to his skin and not his presence.

Wedge stood on the other side of the bed, the back of his fingers gently rubbing the side of Luke's pale face. Iella stood only a few steps behind him, not intruding but there when he needed her.

Leia looked up at Wedge then at her brother. "He looks so young, doesn't he?" She whispered.

Wedge smiled faintly. "Yes, he would still pass for the same Farmboy who destroyed the Death Star all those years ago and he hasn't changed a bit inside either."

Leia could detect the hint of pride in Wedge's voice concerning her brother and she understood perfectly. Luke Skywalker was a special man. Everyone knew it even though it was hard to pinpoint exactly what it was about him. Yes, he was a powerful Jedi Master, probably more than any of them realized but it went much deeper than that.

"No, he is still the same Luke. Always ready to help others and sacrifice himself." Leia mumbled.

Wedge frowned and looked at Leia. "You don't blame Mara, do you?"

Leia shook her head. "No, not at all. Luke loves her, Wedge. More than I have ever seen him love anyone. I would expect nothing less of my brother than to save her life at the loss of his own." Leia sighed, meaning every word of what she said. If Luke didn't make it, Mara Jade would still be a member of their family and she would insure that the trader was taken care of.

Iella was shaking her head slightly. "Leia, you said at the loss of his own life...do you think Luke isn't going to make it?"

Leia continued to stare at her brother. "I hope he makes it, Iella. But I just don't know. I can't feel him in the Force and the bacta isn't working..."

Leia's voice trailed off as Mirax Horn walked into the private room with Corran only a step or two behind them. Leia stood when Han and Mara entered Luke's room right behind the other two visitors.

Mara stepped into the room and stopped. She didn't notice Leia, Wedge or Iella but only the man lying flat on the medical bed. A white, stiff sheet covered him from his feet to his waist where layers upon layers of bandaging then started and ran to his neck. Mara's gaze lingered where she knew the blaster shot had hurt him, right above his heart, and where tubes of all sized were protruding from now. Her gaze finally rested on Luke's face, pale even against the white sheet under him.

Han dropped his arm from Mara's shoulders as she took a few steps closer to her husband, her eyes never leaving him. Wedge moved back from the bed and gave her full access, sliding a chair over and holding it while she numbly sank into it beside the bed.

Mara gingerly ran her finger from Luke's temple to his jaw. "Don't you think it's time to wake up, Skywalker?" She whispered. For several minutes she continued her care of him, only stopping when the doctor came in.

Leia's pulse quickened when she saw the man responsible for her brother's care. "Doctor Bibble, what can you tell us? Is Luke going to be all right?"

The doctor took a deep breath. "His heart has stopped twice before, Madame President, and now he has slipped into a comatose state. He's not responding to the bacta or any other procedures."

Leia shook her head. "What do we do?" She didn't like what she was hearing. Luke always recovered.

Doctor Bibble forced Luke's eyes open one at a time and stared into each. "I contacted the Jedi healer on Yavin and she is on her way."

Leia nodded. "Cilighal. Yes, she might be able to help us."

He agreed. "Yes. She is the only chance we have." His eyes meet Mara's for the first time. "Mrs. Skywalker, you should be in bed yourself."

Mara only stared at him. "I'm not leaving my husband."

"Mrs. Skywalker, you have a concussion and .... " The doctor trailed off as Leia laid her hand on his arm.

"We appreciate your concern but I'm sure you can understand that Mara doesn't want to leave and she's really in no condition to argue about it." Leia stated firmly.

Everyone looked at her in surprise, but none more than Mara. The doctor nodded. "I do understand. I'll be back to check on Master Skywalker in a short while." The doctor nodded to them then made his way toward the door, feeling helpless where the Jedi Master was concerned.

Mara looked at Leia. "Thank you." She whispered.

Leia smiled at her as she watched her brothers wife slid her hand into his. "Mara, he loves you so much. If anyone can help him, it would be you." Leia sat back down in her chair on the other side of Luke.

Mara stared at Luke, still clutching his hand and not caring that it was a prosthetic. "I'm sorry this happened."

"It's not your fault, Mara. Luke is a Jedi Master, these things are a part of his life. I don't like it but I have learned that I have to accept it." Her words sounded hollow to her own ears. She meant them but it was still hard to live with.

Mara nodded and slowly stood. She leaned over and brushed her lips across Luke's, savoring the contact between them before slowly pulled back slightly to look at him. Mara tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and again caressed his face. "Luke, you have to wake up. You promised to never leave me and I'm going to hold you to that."

Leia watched as Mara continued to talk to Luke, encouraging him and almost threatening him at times to wake up. Han walked over beside his wife and squeezed her shoulders in support.

Leia reached toward her brother through the Force, searching for any sign of him and was slightly surprised to feel Corran's presence in the Force join hers. She glanced at him and saw the determination on his face while he stared at Luke. With no further hesitation, she allowed his presence to mingle with hers, intensifying their efforts to reach Luke.

Mara also glanced at Corran, then at Leia and she realized what they were doing. Mara reached out through the Force, wincing as she did from the still present pain in her head and was met with the presence of the two other Jedi. She looked back down at Luke and rested her lips against his again, closing her eyes as she did so. Then Mara Jade Skywalker did something she never thought that she would ever do but had to in order to have any hope of reaching Luke.

Mara lowered the rigid barriers around her mind and inhaled sharply as two unfamiliar presences joined with her.

Leia also inhaled sharply. Not only did the extent of Mara's Force ability surprise her but so did the overwhelming emotions that Mara made no attempt to hide. Unwavering respect and love flowed from the trader towards her brother. A respect that was absolute and a love that was never-ending. Leia concentrated on what they were doing as Mara called out for Luke, her bond with him taking them deeper into his mind than they could have ever gotten without her.

*Luke, it's time to wake up. You need to come back to us enough so we can put you in a healing trance. Please, Luke.* Mara felt a faint flicker in the Force and Leia and Corran encouraged her on, lending Mara their strength.

*Luke, can you hear me? You promised to never leave me and you never break a promise, do you?* Again, she felt a slight stirring and Leia called out to her brother.

* Don't forget how much we all love you, Luke. We don't know what to do without you.* Leia broke the contact with Mara and Corran as she sobbed aloud. Corran stepped back from the bed.

Mara's eyes opened, trying to will those she looked down at to open. "Please don't leave me." She whispered aloud and didn't stop the tears that ran down her cheeks. "I love you, Luke." She kissed his lips and his cheek, damp from her tears.

"I love you more than I ever thought I would love anyone. Please come back so I can show you how much for the rest of our lives. Luke, please." Mara sobbed and buried her head in his shoulder, careful of his wound. She felt a hand on her shoulder and knew Mirax was beside her.

Leia watched her brother's wife, knowing that Mara loved her brother as much as he loved her. Her gaze snapped back to Luke's face when she felt his fingers, still in her grasp, twitch. "Luke." She whispered aloud.

Mara suddenly raised her head and smiled down at Luke. "Welcome home, Jedi" She mumbled just before her lips gently kissed his and Luke moaned, forcing his eyes open to see the face of the presence in the Force that had called out to him, the strength and love in the presence enough to help guide him through the void he was caught in, back toward the light and back toward life.

Luke's eyes fluttered open and for the first time in days, there was no pain. He took a slow breath as his breathing returned to normal after exiting the healing trance. The second trance he had been in since the shooting and each had lasted for over an entire day but the effects were astounding.

Luke turned his weary head to the side, seeking Mara's comforting presence. His breath caught and his eyes misted at the sight of his wife, slumped in a chair with her head against the tall back. Her eyes were closed in sleep and so were those of his sister who sat right beside Mara, her hand still holding that of his wife's.

Luke felt his heart lighten even more at the sight of the two women he loved more than his own life, showing the signs of a bond forming between them. Luke smiled and closed his eyes, feeling a peace that radiated from the knowledge that his life was finally the way he had always wanted it.

The Farmboy turned Jedi soon settled into a peaceful slumber with no thoughts of the other man who sat planets away, seething that his plan had failed. After another quick look at the progress report his associate had secured from the medcenter, the man decided that though he hadn't wanted to reveal his motivation, it was now apparent that the secret he had kept would be required to bring down the Jedi Master and claim his wife once and for all.

Chapter 23
Three weeks later

Luke Skywalker stood patiently waiting while Mara continued to fire off questions at the doctor. Luke grinned at the elder man's flustered expression as Mara once again made sure that she understood his prognosis.

"So Luke is perfectly fine now?" Her hands were on her hips and her voice was none too friendly.

Doctor Bibble took off his glasses and laid them along with Luke's medical datapad on the examining table that Luke had reclined on when first arriving. "Yes, Mrs. Skywalker, your husband is in perfect health now. He may resume all activities and I have placed no restrictions or limitations on him."

Mara watched the man squeeze the bridge of his nose and she knew she was irritating him but this was too important to her. "Isn't it a bit soon for him to have no restrictions? Are you sure he's healthy?"

Luke quickly covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing and was thankful that he was standing off from the two of them, near the door that he was sure he was going out several minutes ago before Mara began her interrogation.

Dr. Bibble only stared at her for a moment, not sure how to get through to the impossibly stubborn woman in front of him. "Mrs. Skywalker, your husband is in perfect health. There are no physical side effects of the blaster wound at all. He has healed remarkably well and substantially faster than I anticipated...but he has made a full recovery." The man emphasized, hoping she would believe him this time.

"All right...and no physical restrictions?" Mara cleared her throat slightly. "He can resume all activities?" She asked uncomfortably.

Luke turned away from the two, unable to stop the embarrassed grin on his face. The doctor, being a professional, merely nodded. "Yes Ma'am, Luke can resume all...normal physical relations and activities."

Luke decided he couldn't take anymore so he stepped out into the hallway, laughing softly. After a few more minutes, Mara came out behind him. "Skywalker, what's the deal with leaving me alone with your doctor? Did you not have any questions."

Luke turned to face Mara, his eyes still shining with amusement. "No, Mara, I think you covered about every question possible at least twice."

Mara's mouth curled up into a smile. "Someone has to make sure that you're healed, Farmboy." She didn't resist when Luke pulled her close in the middle of the busy hallway of the medcenter.

Luke kissed her gently then buried his face in her hair. "And I'm especially glad that you asked about our...physical relations." He would have laughed at it again if it hadn't been so long for them and knowing now that they could.... "We need to get home."

Mara pulled away and started walking down the hallway toward the turbolifts. She glanced back over her shoulder at the surprised Jedi Master. "Coming dear?" She walked briskly, quickly outdistancing him.

Luke ignored the looks of the surrounding people as he broke out in a run after Mara, not stopping until they were both in the turbolift together. Most people were laughing at them as they last thing they saw before the turbolift doors closed was the man pulling his wife into a passionate kiss.

Luke stood in the doorway of their kitchen and watched Mara intently as she and Leia finished cleaning up from their dinner. He loved watching the two women he loved most in the universe do such a simple thing together and was glad that they had met up with Han and Leia and dinner together had been arranged.

The timing had been off a bit as he and Mara had desperately wanted some time together after leaving the doctor's office but there would always be plenty of time for that later. Luke grinned behind his glass, knowing they would more than make up for the past few weeks since his injury as soon as their guests left.

"What are you grinning about, kid?" Han had been observing the younger man standing in the doorway, intently watching the activities in the kitchen. He jumped at Han's voice and quickly tried to stop grinning, causing Han to chuckle softly. He knew that type of grin all to well. "Wishing we'd all get out of here so you and Mara can get down to business?"

Luke's unbelieving look confirmed what the grin was about for Han. "How...why would you think that?" He asked, glancing toward the other guests and glad they hadn't heard Han.

Han only laughed and walked toward the living area and the overstuffed chair in the corner. Talon Karrde and Bryce Stanton were deep in conversation but both looked at Han and the huge grin on his face. Luke had started toward the men but stopped when Leia and Mara came out of the kitchen, carrying their own drinks and the opened bottle of champagne. Leia smiled at Luke and went on towards the living area while Mara wrapped her free arm around Luke's waist and he did the same to her. "Did you finally get tired of watching us work, Jedi?"

Luke's face flushed at having been caught spying on the women. "Yea, I thought I'd better stop while I could." Mara tightened her arm around his waist and Luke dipped his head closer to gently kiss her. Mara moaned softly as Luke deepened the kiss and his tongue darted into her parted lips, their inability to have normal relations during Luke's recovery increasing the sensation of every touch. They automatically pressed closer to each other, two arms around each other and two arms holding their drinks carefully.

They reluctantly broke apart when Han's voice finally reached them.

"Excuse us, we are still in the room, you know?" Everyone burst out laughing and Mara hid her flaming face in Luke's neck as Han continued. "And as soon as the two of you get in here for a toast, we'll leave you alone to....ah, continue."

Mara could feel Luke's laughter rumbled through his chest. "Are we that apparent?" He whispered.

Mara stepped back from him and nodded. "It looks that way." She walked into the living area, making a point to glare at Han. Luke followed her, his face still slightly flushed.

Leia waited until the other men had stood before lifting her glass. "I would just like to say how happy I am that Talon has fully recovered from his ordeal," They all looked at the healthy trader, "and that he and Bryce could join us tonight."

Han interrupted at this point. "And that the kid finally got a clean bill of health after a long recovery." He managed to say without grinning more.

Talon laughed softly. "Did we forget anything?" He teased but wholeheartedly agreed that they had a lot to be thankful for.

Bryce lifted his glass. "I'm thankful that these two finally got their act together." He gestured toward Luke and Mara and they all burst out laughing then drank the champagne that Leia had made sure they had.

"Karrde, has there been any news on the explosion?" Han asked after taking a gulp of his champagne. His brow was furrowed, thinking about the fact that the one man who could have fingered the mastermind behind the explosion, had been on the receiving end of his blaster. After a quick glance at Luke, Han knew he had done the right thing. They were all just lucky that Luke was a Jedi and could help heal himself otherwise, they might not be standing here celebrating.

Talon sighed. "Investigator Dobbs has as much told us that they don't expect to be able to charge anyone else with the crime. The man who was responsible for the explosion is dead and his employer covered their tracks well."

Han frowned. "I hate the thought of anyone getting away with murder." Though he had not known Mosey, there was no doubt that his death had been a senseless one.

Luke sipped from his glass slowly. "The person in question will get what they have coming." He replied then added, "They'll make a mistake and be discovered, I'm sure." That seemed to satisfy everyone but Mara, who still watched Luke. Though they had not discussed it in detail, they were both sure who had been responsible.

Han gulped down the champagne and took the empty glasses. "Now, lets leave these two alone for a bit."

Luke slapped him on the back, hating being so obvious but really needing time with his wife. Talon and Bryce continued to tease Luke about it and while Han and Leia started toward the door, just as the buzzer announced a visitor. Mara left Luke to the friendly ribbing and she walked toward the door, laughing at the men. She pushed the button to open the door then stepped back in shock as she did so, not believing who she saw.

Talon and Bryce were surprised when Luke stopped laughing and his head snapped around to where Mara stood at the door before he briskly walked over to her. Mara backed up slightly and the man in the entrance to their apartment took a few steps inside. Talon gasped as Jervis D'Rowe stepped into the room and Luke held up his hand to stop him.

"What are you doing here?" Luke hissed, surprising everyone but Mara and Talon. Leia and Han glanced at each other, not even sure who this was.

The man chuckled softly at the obviously upset Jedi. "Now, Skywalker, is that any way to welcome a guest in your home."

"Jervis." Mara stepped beside Luke. "Why are you on Coruscant?"

Everyone else stiffened when they heard the man's name. Though they had not met him, the tales from those who had were proof enough for them that he was no good. That belief was confirmed when Jervis smiled at Mara. "I just couldn't stay away any longer."

Even though he was not a Force sensitive, Han could feel the darkside swirling around in the room. He took Luke by the arm and pulled him backwards, away from the taunting new arrival. He frowned when Luke looked at him and he had never seen such hate and disgust in his brother in law's eyes before. Han squeezed Luke's upper arm in support before letting go of him and facing Jervis.

"It seems obvious that Luke and Mara don't want you here so why don't you go now?" He wasn't really asking but was trying to not make a scene. This man was making Luke act strangely and he didn't like it.

Talon stood behind Mara. "Jervis, it was a mistake to come here. Please leave." He had never regretted going into business with this man more than he had at this moment.

Jervis only shook his head. "It doesn't have to be this way. There's no reason for us all to be enemies."

Luke's gaze narrowed. "You are constantly coming on to my wife and you don't see why we wouldn't be friendly with you?" This man's audacity still amazed him.

Jervis directed his attention to the Jedi Master. "You and I don't like each other, I'll admit that but have you ever wondered why I don't like you?"

Luke stepped forward. "Because Mara married me when you were trying to put moves on her." He answered simply.

Jervis again smiled in a way that insinuated that Luke knew nothing. "I'm afraid that it's not that simple, Jedi." He glanced at Mara then the people behind her, knowing that these people were not his enemies but soon would be.

Luke felt a wave of unease settle or him and knew that Jervis was here for a reason and he wasn't going to like it. "Jervis, why are you here? What do you want?" Luke pushed away the anger that this man always provoked in him and concentrated on finding the source of the problem between them this time.

Talon and Bryce moved further away from the door, giving them more privacy and Leia and Han followed suit, though not too far away from their family. Jervis noticed their movement but he didn't care. He was here to finally put an end to this game and he couldn't deter from that.

"Skywalker," he drawled, "I've tried to do this many ways but have met with failure. So now I have to do it the hard way but I am here to finally end this ridiculous contest between us for Mara's affection. "

Han glanced at Talon, wondering how this apparently totally insane man had managed to secure a business deal with him. Talon shrugged, knowing exactly what the former fellow smuggler was thinking.

Luke shook his head slowly but was interrupted from replying by Mara who was furious. "Jervis, listen to me very carefully. I am married to Luke Skywalker. I love Luke Skywalker and there is no competition for my affection. None at all. You are a business associate who will not even be that as soon as I can arrange it. Do I make myself clear?"

Mara was practically yelling by the end of her statement but yet Jervis only continued to smile at her. "Mara, you are mistaken about a great deal many things."

Luke's patience snapped. "Get out." He shoved Jervis backwards before Han could step between them. Jervis' temper flared at the rough treatment.

"Master Skywalker," He said sarcastically, "I will get out but not before I make sure Mara leaves as well."

Luke drew the Force around him, searching for the calm he knew he had to find. Mara threw her hands up in the air, not sure how to make this man understand her lack of interest in him and commitment to Luke. "Jervis, what do you want? Why are you here?"

Jervis only looked at her for a moment, not bothering to disguise the longing and need for her in his gaze. "I'm here for you, Mara. To reclaim what was once mine and will be so again." He stated boldly.

Leia was finding it hard to control her own temper and couldn't fathom how Luke or Mara hadn't ended this man's life before now. "Look Jervis, I don't know you and I don't want to but you need to understand and except the fact that Mara Jade is married to my brother."

Jervis was pleased that the Chief of State's reputation had not been over-exaggerated. "With all do respect, Madame President, you are mistaken."

Luke shook his head as the feeling of unease grew, not even the Force calming it. "What do you mean, Jervis?"

"The lady is mistaken that Mara Jade is married to you." Jervis shifted his triumphant look from the Jedi Master to Mara, "because she is actually married to me." He chuckled softly at their surprised looks and audible gasps, none greater than Mara's.

Chapter 24

Luke took a step forward, his eyes bearing down on Jervis then jerking around to look at Mara. She stood staring at the man who claimed to be her husband, shock leaving the usual infallible Mara speechless.

Luke could feel the uncertainty and horror in the room and he knew most of it came from Mara.

Mara felt what Luke had done but she couldn't comfort him now, not when she was beginning to understand where Jervis was coming from. "Who are you?" She whispered, not wanting to know but needing to understand.

Jervis took another step toward her. "I was so disappointed when we first met again and you didn't recognize me." He chastised her gently.

"When we met again? You mean when you contacted me about the trading contract between Minro Trading Company, Talon and myself?" Mara shivered to think that Jervis had engineered the entire thing.

He glanced around the room at all the stunned people, basking in being able to leave them in shock. "Yes, I had watched you from afar for quite a while and decided that the time was right to approach you. I wasn't sure if you would recognize me so I had the offer of a trading contract to fall back on if you didn't."

Luke listened intently to what Jervis was saying; realizing from Mara's demeanor that she was beginning to understand what was going on and that scared him. He reached out toward her through the Force but when he encountered the sickly feeling of recognition, he quickly withdrew and severed the bond between them.

  "Olan?" Mara shook her head. "No, you can't be." She backed away from the man, forgetting everyone else in the room as she confronted her past once again.

Jervis shook his head, happy that she would finally remember him after so long. "Yes, Mara dear, I am Olan," He made a grand gesture with his hands, "your husband."

Luke had heard enough. He grabbed Mara by the arm and turned her around, then wished he hadn't from the haunted look in her eyes. "What is going on, Mara?" He demanded.

Jervis watched with amusement, having the upper hand over the Jedi Master suiting him very well. Seeing that Mara was having a hard time speaking, he took a deep breath. "Perhaps I can clear this up a bit. I was employed by the Emperor at one time and as reward for my services, I was granted my wish of possessing Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand."

Luke felt his stomach turn and his hands slip from Mara's arms. He wasn't sure if the fact that Jervis could have implicated Mara at her trial for her crimes as Palpatine's Hand was making him feel ill or if it was that what Jervis was insinuating meant that Mara saying that she had only been with him was a lie. "Is Jervis your husband?" He practically yelled at her.

Mara flinched and tried to Force the words from her mouth, not really knowing what the right answer would be. "No...yes... but not the way you think. I don't know" She whispered, her dull eyes emotionless yet drowning in emotion at the same time.

Jervis reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled a folder paper from it. He held it out toward the couple who stood with their gazes locked but neither of them moved to take it. Leia finally stepped forward and grabbed the paper to quickly open it and scan it. Without a word, she handed it to Bryce. The look she gave Han told him, as well as Bryce and Talon, that this was serious.

Bryce inhaled sharply as he looked over the document then slowly looked at Leia and nodded affirmatively. He handed the paper back to Leia and she took a deep breath before turning back to Luke.

Leia laid her head against her brother's shoulder for a moment then held the paper between he and Mara. Luke's hand closed around it just as Leia shattered the perfect world that he thought was going to last forever. "This document is a petition for the marriage of Mara Jade and Olan Jervis. Signed by Emperor Palpatine and ...Lord Vader."

Even Talon cringed at the look of absolute despair on Luke's face as he backed away from Mara, the incriminating paper falling to the floor. Not only had the woman he loved betrayed him but so had his own father, even if he hadn't realized it at the time.

"Luke." Mara screeched as the Jedi Master turned toward the still open door and ran through it before anyone could stop him. Talon grabbed Mara as she sank to the floor sobbing while Han went out the door after Luke. Catching him at the turbolift, Han didn't try to stop him. He knew there was no way he could stop him and frankly, he understood that he needed to run. Han was only concerned with Luke's well being as he came up behind the slumping Jedi and wrapped his arms around his chest.

"Promise me that you'll come home to us tonight?" He asked. "Please, Luke." Han had never seen Luke this low before, not even during Mara's trial and he was worried that he might do something stupid. The doors of the turbolift slid open but Han still held Luke in place when he tried to step forward.

Luke took a shuddering breath. "I promise." Han immediately released the man and finally caught a glimpse of his brother in law's face for the first time and his inside's turned to ice from the cold, emotionless look on Luke's face as the doors slid shut.

Han slowly walked back up the hallway toward Mara and Luke's apartment, trying to make sense of everything that had happened in the last few minutes. He stood in the doorframe for a moment, his gaze hardening as he studied the man that had been plaguing Luke for the past few weeks and had destroyed everything the Jedi Master held dear here tonight.

Leia looked up from where she had knelt beside Mara who had stopped sobbing and was exhibiting the same coldness that Luke had shown. Talon held her hand and was rubbing it, trying to get a reaction from her. Leia slowly stood and walked over to Han and the two of them watched Bryce talking quietly to Jervis. Leia leaned against her husband. "Where is Luke?" She whispered.

Han looked into her brown eyes and wished there was an easier way to tell her. "He had to get away, Leia. He promised to come back to our place tonight." He answered just as quietly. He released Leia and walked closer to Jervis and Bryce.

"Bryce, are you done here?" He asked the lawyer.

"Yes, I have all I need." He held the paper in his hand and had secured the details from Jervis to support his claim.

Han stepped between the men, facing Jervis. "Then it's time for you to get the hell out of this apartment." He hissed.

Jervis cocked an eyebrow. "Not without my wife..." Before Han could reply, he heard Mara jump to her feet and a snap-hiss sounded. Han edged backwards as Mara leveled her lightsaber so the tip rested at Jervis' neck.

"Get out." She demanded.

"Mara, we need to talk..." He stopped as she drew the saber back in an arc that made it clear that she intended to strike him down.

"Get out now!" She screamed and brought the saber down, sending Jervis scattering for the door, his normally calm demeanor gone.

Leia pushed the button, sealing the door behind the man while Han wedged the saber from Mara's grasp. Bryce moved well out of their way and he, Leia and Talon huddled together as Han lead Mara over to the sofa and got her to sit down. He didn't know how to comfort her and felt awkward doing so but she needed something and the one person he had ever seen be able to help her had just ran out of the apartment. He just held her hand and listened as best he could as Bryce tried to fill in some details that Jervis had supplied him.

Leia took a deep breath. "So they were married? Mara and Jervis?" She waited for Bryce to answer; knowing that everything depended on this.

Bryce nodded. "Jervis has a petition where the Emperor dictated that Mara marry him. It is signed by both he and Lord Vader and it does have the Imperial seal on it, making it binding."

"But what about a marriage certificate?" Leia demanded.

"There would have to be one found for this to be legal beyond a shadow of a doubt but this might be enough to convince a court."

Talon was angry that just when Luke and Mara were getting straightened out, this had to happen. "Jervis doesn't have the marriage certificate?" He remembered how Bryce had stressed during Mara and Luke's wedding that the certificate be signed and witnessed to be legal.

"No, he doesn't have one. He said that the Emperor never gave it to him but they were married." He said with a sigh.

Talon's temper still flared. "Even without the certificate, this will be enough?" He flipped the paper Bryce held to indicate what he meant.

Bryce watched as Mara stood and walked toward them, Han right behind her. "Yes, it will be enough." He replied before she reached them. Mara barely glanced at the paper her former attorney held. She interrupted him as he started to question her.

"I don't know, Bryce, I just don't know." She slowly shook her head. "I just have to worry about Luke right now and we'll sort this mess out later."

Han cleared his throat. "Mara, Luke is gone."

She glanced back at Solo quickly while reaching out through the Force for the Jedi Master. Her heart ached when she couldn't feel him and knew that he was doing it intentionally. "Oh, Luke." She mumbled and walked toward the bedroom, knowing she wouldn't find him if he didn't want her to.

They all watched her go then after Bryce laid the paper on the counter, they all left the apartment to wait for the parties involved to fill in all the blanks in this mystery that threatened to tear apart two people who loved each other, devastating them in the process.

Leia continued to pace around the apartment, the kids having been tucked in hours ago, freeing up all her time to worry about her brother. Han sat at the counter, patiently watching his wife. They both jumped when they heard the door slide open. Leia wanted to rush into the foyer to greet Luke but held back, giving him space and the choice to come to them. She sighed in relieve when the dark clad man strode into the living area and then over to the bar area.

Leia hugged him warmly and held him tight. "I'm so glad that you're here." She had been genuinely worried about him considering how abruptly he had left his apartment and the look on his face that Han had described to her.

She finally released Luke and he sat down on a stool opposite Han, his actions slow and reflecting how tired he felt. Leia lovingly kneaded his tight shoulders. "Everything will be ok, Luke."

He closed his eyes at his sister's attention. "I don't know, Leia, but I'm just too tired to think."

Han knew he shouldn't but he had to say his piece. "Luke, can I let Mara know that you're here. Just to let her know that you're safe."

Luke's eyes opened. "I don't want to see her, Han."

His brother in law nodded. "I know you need time to sort through this but you will have to see her eventually to sort through this."

Luke snorted. "What's there to sort through? Mara married Jervis and forgot to mention that to me...before she married me."

Han knew Luke was hurting and angry but he also knew that Luke loved Mara more than his own life. "It can't be that simple, kid. She was as surprised as you."

Luke thought about what Han was saying. "I'm just not ready for this yet. I need to think it through. I need to find...peace before I can deal with it." None of them said it but they all understood what he meant. Luke fought with darkness nearly everyday of his life and Jervis pushed him closer to the darkside than anyone else ever had.

Han knew he might pay for this later but for now, it seemed like a good idea. "Luke, why don't you just stay here for a few days?"    Luke glanced at Han and the former smuggler was not pleased with the exhausted, dead look in Luke's eyes. Luke nodded. "I would like that." He answered quietly.

Leia took Luke by the arm. "Let's get you settled in, Luke." She was thrilled to have Luke staying with them but couldn't help but feel bad for the woman a few floors down that was all alone. She nodded to Han as Luke stood. The younger twin had to smile at the small woman beside him as her arm wrapped around him.

"Thank you Leia, and Han." He extended his hand toward Han, not in a handshake fashion. Han grasped his brother in law's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"That's what families are for, Kid." He repeated what Luke had told him many times then released the younger man's hand. Leia steered Luke toward the stairs as Han began securing the downstairs area. After making sure that the Skywalker twins had made their way upstairs, he picked up his comlink to let the woman that Luke thought he had been married to know that the Jedi Master was with his family.

Mara Jade stood in the middle of the bedroom staring down at the comlink in her hand. She flipped the unit off then let it drop to the floor with a slight thud, having learned that Luke was at the Solo residence and would not be returning to their apartment tonight.

Like an automaton, Mara walked over to the bed and fell across it. "Luke." She called out, knowing he wouldn't hear her. He had withdrawn from her physically and through the Force and she couldn't blame him. Luke had been betrayed by her in the worst way and Mara wasn't sure how to fix this. Her thoughts turned to Jervis and she berated herself for not seeing who he was earlier but Olan Jervis was someone she thought she would never see again and certainly not someone she thought that she had actually married.

"It was all a hoax." She mumbled, replaying the events that lead up to her marriage to Jervis. Palpatine had told her of his plan to get rid of Jervis and part of it was making the young man believe that he had been rewarded for his services by his wish of marrying her being granted. "It was all a scheme and not real." Mara continued to try to sort through the memories, knowing that she had not misunderstood and yet Jervis was here with documentation that contradicted what she knew.

Mara felt anger building in the pit of her stomach as she reached the only logical answer she could come up with. "Palpy betrayed me. He really did have us married." Mara's anger was also directed at the dark giant that had been there and had to have known what they were doing with a mere fifteen standard year old girl. A trained assassin and operative, but still only a fifteen year old girl who had been secretly married off to a man that she barely knew but had procured enough favor with the Emperor to have him betray her.

Mara's anger threatened to consume her as she pushed herself up to her knees and screamed into the tightly clutched pillow in her hand, Luke's pillow. Mara screamed until she couldn't scream anymore then collapsed back against the bed. She still clutched the pillow against her as tears that she never thought possible rushed forward. Mara cried until she finally fell into a fitful sleep, her thoughts still on the man she had finally had the courage to admit she loved and who now probably was lost to her forever

Chapter 25

It was a few hours later when Luke found himself standing in the middle of their living room, perfectly still and listening for any sign of Mara. He had hesitated on coming home so soon after learning about Mara's marriage but had finally decided to face this problem head on. He had entered their apartment, still hiding in the Force, and still stood pushing down his feelings of anguish to face Mara.

Mara came out of the bedroom and started down the hallway, still dressed from their impromptu dinner with their family and friends. She started at the sight of Luke then slowly made her way closer to him. "Luke, I didn't know you were here." She had not expected to see him until morning.

Mara stopped a few feet away from the Jedi Master, her eyes taking in every aspect of him like a starving pup. "I missed you." She whispered.

Luke finally spoke, his soft-spoken words setting her heart ablaze. "I missed you too, Mara." He took a deep breath and slowly reached out with the Force to get a sense of how Mara was faring. He inhaled sharply as their minds brushed against each other, their uncertainty and agony matching perfectly. Luke drew back away before they communicated but didn't sever their bond completely. He just couldn't bring himself to do it.

Luke watched as Mara disappeared into the small kitchen area then as she pulled aside the divider above the bar to open the room up to the living area. Luke sat down on a stool and watched as Mara made them cups of caf. Even though it was getting late, he could use the drink and he knew she could as well. He mumbled 'thank you' as she slid his across the counter then took the seat at the bar across from Luke. "I'm sorry, Luke." She said quietly.

Luke looked closely at the woman he thought he would be spending the rest of his life with. His heart ached at seeing her and he knew she would never betray him the way it seemed she had. "I just want to know what's going on, Mara." He replied.

Mara sipped her caf slowly. "I never lied to you." It was important to her that Luke believe that she didn't withhold this information from him intentionally.

Luke sat his cup down with a clank. "Then why are you married to another man?"

Mara wasn't surprised by his anger. Jervis could make the Jedi Master angrier than anyone else could. She couldn't image the things that might have gone through his head after Jervis dropped his bombshell on them. "I don't know how to explain this." Her eyes pleaded with him to understand while she couldn't find the words to make him.

Luke drew in a deep breath. "When you met Jervis about the trade contract, you didn't recognize him?" He asked.

Mara nodded her head. "No, I didn't recognize him. I never really had much to do with Olan Jervis when he was a protégé of Palpatine." That information only served to further confuse Luke.

"Mara, I don't understand. If you barely knew the man then why did you marry him?"

Mara couldn't help but be defensive. "I was 15 years old, Skywalker. I did what the Emperor told me to do." She sipped her caf a bit more then spoke more calmly. "Jervis was a protégé of Palpatine concerning the death star. Though he was only a year or so older than me, Olan Jervis was instrumental in designing the death star. I don't know exactly what he did, but Palpatine was pleased with him. That is until he demanded me as repayment for his services."

Luke stiffened across from her. "Jervis asked for you in return for helping design the death star?" The man had guts, Luke had to give him that. He had guts or no common sense at all.

Mara almost smiled. "No, he demanded me. The Emperor was furious but he needed Jervis to finish his design so he agreed to the demand."

"What!" Luke stood up and the barstool went flying behind him. "The Emperor gave you to a man as payment?" His temper pitched and once again, Luke wished he had been the one to kill the despot himself.

Mara reached out across the counter and held Luke by the arm. "He was evil, Luke, we both know that. We can't change that." She needed Luke to hear this story and not obsess over the Emperor's treatment of her.

Luke's eyes were still dark with anger. "What happened?"

Mara sighed and removed her hand from Luke's arm. "Well, I didn't even know Jervis. I had seen him once or twice but apparently he had been watching me closely. I asked the Emperor not to do this and he told me that agreeing to the marriage and the fake ceremony was only a ploy to stall Jervis until the death star was finalized."

Luke felt a glimmer of hope surface but it quickly died from the look in Mara's eyes. "But he changed his mind?" Luke inquired.

Mara also stood up. "No, not that I know of. I married Jervis in a fake ceremony then Palpatine sent me on a mission just as he said he was going to. I never saw Jervis after that so I assumed that the Emperor has eliminated him like he planned."

"Do you remember signing anything about the marriage? Any documentation?" Luke interrogated her.

Mara shook her head. "I did sign the petition and ...a marriage license." She answered, knowing it wasn't the right answer but it was the truth. "And the Emperor, Lord Vader and I all signed the petition several days before the wedding, as Jervis already had."

"What about the license?" Luke was still hoping against hope that there was hope for them.

"Jervis and I signed it before the wedding. The two witnesses were supposed to sign it afterwards. The ceremony was hurried and Palpatine signed it right afterwards and then gave it to Vader. That's the last time I saw it and Jervis. I assumed the plan was completed."

"So you're sure that the license was signed by both witnesses?" Luke was grasping at anything he could.

Mara shrugged. "Palpy was not dumb, Luke. He knew that it had to be signed by two witnesses to be legal. That's why he and his trusted sidekick were there." She answered sarcastically then realized that it was Luke's father she was talking about. "Sorry."

This subterfuge was overwhelming to him now and he could only image how Mara had survived in this type of environment day after day. "So you really had no idea that you had actually married Jervis." He chose to ignore her comment about his father.

Mara stepped around the counter and rested her hands on Luke's arms that were folded across his chest. "I would never lie to you, Luke. Even before I told you that I loved you, I respected you and I would have mentioned the marriage if I had thought it was real. I honestly never thought about Jervis and the marriage again."

Luke couldn't help but lift his hand to the side of her face, feeling ashamed that he could have even considered that she wouldn't have told him about being married. He just didn't seem to be thinking or acting clearly lately. "I'm sorry that I doubted you. I just didn't know what to believe."

Mara's eyes closed as Luke's thumb gently rubbed up and down the side of her face. "What purpose would the Emperor have for betraying me? For making the petition and ceremony real?" She whispered then exhaled slowly, knowing that she would probably never find the answers to those questions.

"Probably just because he could. Or maybe he needed Jervis more than he wanted anyone to know." Luke sighed, not wanting to talk to the person who had brought this chaos into their life.

Mara's eyes opened. "Bryce thinks this will hold up in court, that it will be enough to cast doubt on our marriage. And Jervis can drag this out in court for years..." She forced the words from her mouth and watched Luke wince at them.

"I know, Mara." He continued to stare at her. "At least the New Republic had already dismissed their case against you and Jervis can't incriminate you." Luke had already made sure that Mara could not be retried for her crimes as Emperor's Hand. The New Republic had dismissed the case and it could not be reopened.

"Or they can't make you testify when they learn that our marriage...our marriage is..." Mara broke away from Luke and began pacing. Luke had reached out to pull her into an embrace when the buzzer sounded announcing another visitor. Their gazes locked, both knowing who it was. Luke motioned with his hand and the door slid open, their eyes still glued together.

Jervis stepped into the apartment and the door slid shut. "Hello again to you both." He chuckled after saying it and Luke slowly turned to look at him.

"What do you want from us?" Luke asked as Mara moved to stand beside him. They both watched the man as he walked back and forth in front of them.

"What do I want?" Jervis stopped only a foot or so from them. "I want my wife back." He hissed.

Luke's arm snaked around Mara's waist and he pulled her against his side. "You can't have Mara. She and I love each other and we will be married if we aren't now." Luke couldn't bring himself to admit aloud that he and Mara weren't married now.

Jervis quirked his eyebrow. "I can't have her?" He laughed as he stepped closer to Luke. "She is my wife, Jedi, and I have no intention of letting her go."

Jervis was pleased to see the Jedi's face flush in anger. It was becoming all too easy to goad the man. "And I intend on making her my wife in every way."

Luke growled and let go of Mara but made no other moves. "Never, Jervis, never. No matter what I have to do, you will never touch Mara."

Mara stepped between the two men, shoving Jervis backwards. "I don't need the two of you fighting over who is going to have me." She put her finger in Jervis' face. "If we are married, then we will get a divorce or an annulment or whatever we can do."

Jervis shook his head. "I won't agree to it and it will take us years to battle it out in court." He smiled wickedly at the look on her face. "And do you think the Jedi Master will wait for you that long?"

Luke pulled Mara back to his side, away from Jervis. "What are you talking about?" He didn't like the calmness that oozed from Jervis. He was too sure of his position. Luke watched the man again begin to pace around the room.

"You are an honorable man, Skywalker. I'm sure you will understand why I ask if you will wait for Mara that long." He turned and walked toward the door. Luke instinctively pulled Mara close and rested his lips against Mara's forehead, Jervis' next words tearing through his soul as he did indeed understand.

"Jedi Skywalker, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't handle my wife in such a way." His laughter still echoed in the room even after the door had slid shut.

For a long moment, the two Jedi stayed in each other's arms, neither one daring to move until Mara finally raised her head to stare at Luke. He swallowed hard, his eyes beginning to burn from the tears that threatened to spill over.

Mara frowned at Luke's emotional state, his anxiety making her heart beat faster and her sensibility falter. She quickly wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled his lips closer. She kissed Luke with all the passion that she could muster and tried to widen the Force bond between them but Luke wouldn't allow her. Not to be deterred, Mara deepened the kiss but faltered when she felt the wetness against her face and knew that it came from Luke.

He hugged her face close to hers. "We can't do this, Mara." He whispered.

She tried to pull away to look at him but he held her firm. "Luke, what are you talking about?"

Luke quickly kissed her again. "We have to part." He wasn't prepared for her quick action as she pulled away to stare at his tear stained face.

"What?" Mara couldn't believe he wanted to end their relationship. "I don't understand."

Luke angrily wiped his face. "Jervis is right, Mara. I can't continue with you...I can't be with you."

Understanding slowly dawned on Mara's face and her hand flew to her mouth. "No, Luke, this can't happen."

Luke had never done anything in his life as hard as what he was now doing. "I can't ... I can't be with another man's wife, Mara. I..."

Mara's bottom lip quivered as she understood. "You and your damn honor, Skywalker." She tried to sound angry but her voice shook with barely restrained despair.

Luke straightened his back and tried to breathe deeply. "I'm sorry Mara but as a Jedi Master, how can I be with you, have a life with you while you're married to another man. We can't have a relationship." He pleaded with her. It was more than just being a Jedi Master, this was about being a man of honor and integrity. Luke couldn't do this anymore than he could have lied at Mara's trial for her.

Mara nodded. "And it's too late for us to just be friends again. I understand, Luke. I would expect no less of you." She slowly turned her back to Luke, not wanting to watch him leave. "I will always love you, Luke Skywalker." She whispered. Mara knew they would be friends, but it would be a long while before they could be in the same room with each other and their hearts not break.

Luke reached out toward her, his hand inches from her shoulders but couldn't bring himself to touch her. He couldn't do that to her or stand any more agony himself. His hand slowly dropped back to his side and gave up the fight to control his emotions. "And I will always love you Mara Jade Sky..." He stopped at his blunder and rushed to the door.

The apartment door slid shut behind Luke and he leaned against the wall, his back sliding down it until he landed against the floor. He heard the agonizing cry of his name coming from inside the apartment and all he could do was cradle his own head in his hands, his tears and heartbreak unbridled and flowing through the Force. And as such, it was only a matter of minutes before Leia Organa-Solo ran down the hallway and skidded to a stop beside her brother. Han watched from a distance, making sure no one went anywhere near them as Leia gently pulled her brother close. Han could see both of them sobbing and knew he had never seen Luke this low before and that made him wonder if he would ever recover from this, if any of them would ever recover from the devastation that Jervis had bestowed upon them.

Chapter 26
One week later

Mara Jade zipped up her carryall bag and looked around the bedroom for anything else she might need, her gaze resting on the large closet where most of her clothes still hung along side those of the Jedi Master's. She yanked the old doors shut, banging them together as they met in the middle.

Mara reached down to grab her bag, more than ready to leave Coruscant on a trip with Talon but not wanting this to be the last time she was in the place she had began to think of as home. It had been an excruciating long week of she and Luke avoiding each other, yet desperately wanting to seek each other out. Even though both their hearts were breaking, Mara knew as well as Luke that they had to separate until the mess with Jervis was sorted.

Mara reached beside the bed to the small table and picked up the holopic of her and Luke that Leia had taken of them at her dinner party as she struggled not to think of what all had happened to change her life so drastically. Jervis had left Coruscant without another word to any of them. Mara sighed, knowing that her 'husband' now held the upper hand and she or Bryce would have to contact him eventually.

She stared at the pic of her and Luke snuggled close together and she vividly remembered the two of them snuggling in the corner, after speaking to the guests and just needing a moment alone. She quickly unzipped her bag and stuffed the holopic inside, re-zipping it as a few stray tears slivered down her cheek.

Her hand flew to her mouth and she slumped to her knees beside the bed, the events of the past week rushing at her all at once. Mara Jade cried for all the years she had been deprived of as a child, for all the atrocities that she had committed and were committed against her, and for all the wasted years believing in a monster while hating a man that was only worthy of love. But most of all, Mara Jade cried for having finally found love and to have it ripped from her life.

Luke Skywalker cursed for what seemed the hundredth time today as he reached for the hydrospanner lying on the edge of his X-Wing hull and knocked it off instead of grasping it. Luke shifted in the seat of his X-Wing to peer over the side, cursing again when he saw the broken piece of equipment lying on the floor far below where he sat.

"So much for tuning up the ship today." He mumbled and pushed himself out of the pilots seat and descended the ladder down the side of his fighter, using the Force to shut the canopy with a mere offhanded flick of his hand.

Luke sighed as he picked up the remnants of the tool he had borrowed from Han, knowing the Corellian was not going to be happy with getting a brand new one to replace it. "Just another thing broken." Luke spoke under his breath then almost chuckled at his new habit of talking to himself.

Luke walked closer to the garbage collector to toss the pieces of Han's tool away, unable to stop his gaze from settling on the ship that sat in the hangar, only a few spaces away from his own X-Wing.

The Jedi Master swallowed hard at seeing the snub nosed ship with the vivid flames on the side, reflective of the fiery woman who owned the ship. It had only been a standard week since Luke had walked out of Mara Jade's life, but he was certain that the ache inside him would never diminish over time. This was an ache that would always keep his heart heavy and his soul closed to any other woman but he knew that this is the way it had to be.

So intent upon thinking about Mara, Luke failed to hear the approach of another person. He was startled out of his musings when a large hand clamped down on his shoulder. "She's a beauty, isn't she?" A familiar male voice asked.

Not able to quickly hide the pain in his eyes, Luke answered his friend without looking at him. "Yes, she is."

Wedge Antilles grinned at his friend who still stared at the ship, wondering if Luke was referring to the ship or its captivating owner. "I haven't seen you in the hangar for quite a while." Wedge removed his hand from the Jedi's shoulder and Luke finally turned and gave him a quick smile.

"Yea, it's been a busy time." He answered easily.

Wedge grinned even more. "Yes, I remember the days of being a newlywed." He was surprised when Luke only mumbled yea and walked back toward his ship.

"Luke, are you ok?" Wedge followed his best friend, getting the feeling that something wasn't right.

Luke began throwing the tools of Han's that he hadn't broken today back into a carrying case. "I'm just tired, Wedge." That was only part of the truth, but the truth none the less. He had been having strange dreams of his father since leaving the apartment seven days ago and sleep had not come easy. He had even found it hard to mediate because of the dreams and though he knew the Force was trying to tell him something through them, but he didn't feel strong enough to deal with the visions of his father when musings of Mara occupied every second of his time.

Wedge knew something was up. He took Luke by the arm and turned him around, getting his first good look at the younger man. "You do look tired, Skywalker." He said, succeeding in getting a weary smile from the Jedi by using his command voice as he would on any one of his pilots.

Luke's gaze suddenly shifted from Wedge's face to behind him, to the figure Luke had just sensed approaching even though both had their barriers tightly entrenched. Luke stiffened without realizing it and Wedge released his arm, alarmed at the wave of agony that seemed to overtake Luke's face before his usual, passive expression was in place.

Wedge watched as Luke stepped around him and met the approaching guest a few feet away from where he stood.

Luke had to control himself to not run to the person he hadn't seen in days, and had missed terribly. "Mara." He whispered as the two finally came face to face.

"Luke." She answered his greeting, her own heart breaking at seeing him. Without another thought, their hands joined but they made no other moves to touch. "I...I came by to let you know that I'm leaving today."

"Leaving?" Luke felt as if the air had been forcibly sucked from his lungs at her statement. He knew this was coming. He knew Mara would leave Coruscant to escape him, their farce of a marriage and the consequences of it all. He also knew it was the best thing for both of them. "You're leaving Coruscant."

Mara nodded. "I have to, we both know that." Mara closed her eyes for a second then reopened them to stare at the man she thought was her husband. "I'll only be gone a few weeks. When I get back, I'll come and get my things. I just couldn't....not now."

Luke understood. She couldn't move her things out of their...his apartment any more than he could have moved them. "That's fine, Mara. Where are you going?"

She shrugged slightly. "I'm rejoining Talon for a bit. Just to have an overload of work between my business and helping him. I haven't discussed it further. I just know that we leave soon."

Luke nodded, his eyes taking in her tired expression. Her milky skin seemed even whiter and her emerald eyes were dull. "You look as tired as I feel." He joked.

Mara smiled. "And I am...just like you." She slowly withdrew her hands from his. "I have to go, Luke. I can't say goodbye again...I just...." She stopped talking and looked down at her boots, tracing a floor seam with the tip of one.

Luke took a shuddering breath. "Be safe on your trip, Jade." He tried to sound as he used to, his voice reflecting friendly concern and not the overwhelming love that he had finally acknowledged to her.

Mara finally looked up, knowing that they were ending all over again. "Thanks, Skywalker." She bit her lower lip and quickly turned away, heading not toward her own ship but the Wild Karrde that was docked on the other side of the hangar bay.

Wedge watched the interaction between the married couple, frowning the entire time. Something was seriously wrong here. Luke turned back toward his X-Wing and still Wedge watched, not sure what to do. Luke leaned forward, pressing his forehead and elbows against the ship and wrapping his hands around behind his head, interlacing his fingers

Wedge's gaze shifted to the disappearing figure of Mara, watching her turn around to look at Luke one last time before almost running to get away from the sight of him leaned against his ship. Wedge stalked over to him, knowing that Luke was in more pain than he had seen him in along time and he wanted to know why.

"Luke, what is going on?" He laid his arm across the Jedi's shoulders and leaned close to him, feeling Luke's long and shuddering breaths. He leaned even closer to hear Luke's whispered reply.

"My marriage is over." He didn't try to keep his voice steady. His shaking shoulders already told Wedge that he was choking back intense emotions.

Wedge inhaled sharply, glancing back the direction Mara had disappeared in. He knew her emotions hadn't been fake where Luke was concerned and neither was her unhappiness a few minutes ago. "The two of you love each other, Luke. You can work this out."

Luke angrily straightened up, Wedge's arm sliding off his shoulder. He shook his head. "No, no we can't fix this."

Wedge watched Luke shake his head then reached out to grasp his face to make him stop. He looked into the man's eyes, wondering if he would see all the old pain that seemed to haunt him before Mara entered his life. He was surprised to see not only the old pain, but much more than before. Luke was wallowing in agony.

"Gods, Luke, what is it?"

Luke was tired of hiding this and he knew everyone would find out soon anyway. "Mara and I are not really married."

Wedge let go of Luke's face and his arms fell to his sides in shock. "This was all a hoax?" Somehow, he knew there was more than that to this. Luke wouldn't deceive them all this way.

Luke hurriedly corrected himself. "No, the marriage was real....or we thought it was." He took a deep breath. "Mara and I married each other and planned on spending the rest of our lives together."

Wedge almost smiled. "You love each other and have for a long time."

Luke nodded. "Yes, I love her so much that I ache inside when I'm not around her....and I have for years."

"So you got married and now something has changed that?" Wedge was still unsure what had ripped the two of them apart when they so obviously wanted to be together.

Luke sighed. "Under the Emperor's orders as his Hand, Mara went through a fake wedding ceremony to a man named Olan Jervis. She never thought anything else about it, knowing that Palpatine intended it as a stalling tactic until the man in question could be disposed of."

Wedge was already frowning, just hearing about Mara's past where Emperor Palpatine was concerned. "So what happened?" He knew this wasn't going to be pretty.

Luke searched for the right words. "Palpatine tricked Mara by making the ceremony real." He replied softly. "We have no idea why but he did so but he did."

Wedge's eyes grew wide. "What? Mara really married this Olan?"

Luke nodded. "Turns out that Olan Jervis is the same Jervis that Mara and Talon have a trading contract with."

Wedge understood now. "The same Jervis that has been harassing you and Mara." His face flushed slightly as the mention of the man who had been giving Luke and Mara grieve, much more grief than he originally realized.

"Yes," Luke nodded, "and I think he's responsible for the explosion we were in on Dolis."

"He has proof that their marriage ceremony was real?" The Corellian knew he must for Luke and Mara to be this distraught.

Luke leaned his back against his ship. "He has a marriage petition signed by my father and the Emperor. The Justice System would uphold it, if for no other reason than Mara managed to get out of her trial as the Emperor's Hand."

Wedge gulped. "Will you have to testify..."

"No," Luke interrupted. "They dismissed the trial. Mara cannot be brought up on charges again, though Fey'lya can make her and I miserable over this but that is over....but so is my marriage or what I thought was my marriage."

Luke stared off toward the hangar doors, not even seeing the people scurrying by. His friend mimicked his position of leaning against the old fighter ship. "She can get a divorce from this man and then the two of you can get married." He offered.

Luke sighed. "Mara will start the process but he can drag it out for years, Wedge, and he said he would. But yes, that's the only hope that we have."

Wedge sighed, knowing his friend all to well. "So the two of you are finished until Mara can get free of him." He was disgusted that once again, Luke's happiness was destroyed.

The Jedi Master straightened up. "Yes...I can't have a relationship with Mara while she's married so she and I are through until...." His voice was tight.

Wedge didn't know what to do. "I can investigate this Olan Jervis and see if I can come up with anything that we can use as leverage against him."

Luke looked at him and a faint smile broke out on his face. "Thank you, Wedge." Other people had already tried that but Luke knew never to underestimate the man beside him.

"Sure...are you going to be ok? Where are you staying?" Concern was apparent on his face and Luke briefly wondered if any on the people in his life would ever stop thinking of him as the kid they needed to protect and care for.

*Never* He felt the word as much as he heard it and he quickly looked toward the entrance to the hangar, not surprised to see his sister approaching. He chastised himself for letting her reach out to him without him knowing it then strengthened his barriers, knowing she was here because once again, she had felt his pain over Mara.

Leia Organa-Solo nodded to Wedge before unbashfully wrapping her arm around Luke's waist.. Her hand brushed a few flecks of dirt from her brothers flight suit and was careful to avoid the grease scattered on his left side. "Been working on your X-Wing?"

Luke nodded. "Yes, mother, and I'm fine now."

Wedge and Leia both burst out laughing while Luke grinned. "You don't have to track me down every time you feel me unhappy."

Leia shook her head and replied softly. "You were more than unhappy."

Luke knew better than to argue. "Mara was here."

Leia tightened her grip around her brother's waist a bit. "Is she ok?" Leia wasn't sure how Mara was going to survive this. She had checked up on her former sister in law several times since Luke had left the apartment and she knew Mara was even more devastated than Luke.

Luke didn't want to get into details again. "She's surviving." He replied, his gaze resting on the ship that had just lifted from a landing pad at the opposite end of the hangar, knowing the ship all to well. His eyes closed briefly as the ship taxied to the hangar bay opening then disappeared from sight, taking his heart with it.

"Excuse me." Luke jerked away from Leia, and briskly made his way out of the hangar, needing to find solace and peace and not knowing how when the only person who could give him those things had just left him behind.

Leia and Wedge both watched him, not understanding his abrupt change in mood but knowing that somehow it was related to the person his mood swings were always related to, Mara Jade.

Chapter 27

 Luke had wondered around aimlessly for the rest of the day after Mara had left Coruscant, ending back up at Leia's apartment and heading straight to his room. He had ignored the concerned looks and questions of both Han and Leia, wanting only to hide from it all in his room.

Sleep had alluded the Jedi Master for most of the night but when he had finally fallen into a fitful sleep, dreams that had plagued his sleep for over a week had overtaken him again. Dreams that had always left him feeling as if he were missing something important, not hearing or seeing what he was supposed to.

Luke restlessly turned over onto his back, moaning from the dreams as he did so. "Father." He mumbled and again rolled back onto his side, his hand reaching out and gripping the edge of the bed as the image of Darth Vader called out to him, pleaded with him over something that Luke couldn't quite make out.

Luke sat up in bed quickly as the dream ended and the image faded. He didn't answer the knock to the door, knowing it was Leia. He had awaken her almost every night with his dream, the same dream every night.

"Luke, can I come in?" She asked on the other side of the closed door.

Luke brushed against her in the Force, letting her know that she could before he began recoiling from the Force, attempting to diminish the effects of his dream on her.

Leia entered his room, the one in her home that he had existed in for over a week now. He never left the apartment and most of the time was spent in this room, meditating. She sat down on the edge of the bed and worriedly straightened his hair, damp and unruly from his dream.

"Was it the same one?" She asked softly.

Luke tucked his legs in and sat cross-legged on the bed. "Yes, the same one." He mumbled.

Leia frowned as she watched him. Luke did not look good. He was pale and his weariness seemed to increase every day. He wasn't the calm, centered person he had always been but instead, he now seemed unbalanced and angry. And now not only was he dealing with losing his wife but for some reason, Darth Vader haunted him every night in his sleep. "Did you learn anything else this time?" Luke had told her that he was sure that the dream was trying to tell him something.

Luke shook his head. "No, nothing at all." Luke glanced out the window beside his bed where the first rays of sun were just appearing. "I'm sorry that I keep waking you up."

Leia chuckled softly. "It was time for me to start the day anyway, Luke. And I want to be here for you."

Luke's eyes slowly traveled to his twin. "Thank you." There was nothing else he could say that would make her understand how much he appreciated Leia giving him a place to stay and the support that he desperately needed after having his world turned upside down.

Leia leaned closer and kissed his cheek. "That's what family is for, little brother."

Luke grinned at her, knowing her 'little brother' comment was to get him arguing with her. "Still convinced you're older?" He rose to the occasion and her brilliant smile warmed his heart and chased away some of his weariness.

Leia stood, still laughing. "Of course I am. Now get dressed and come down for a proper meal with all of us."

Luke nodded in agreement, his stomach had been growling an awful much lately. "I will." He promised.

Leia took another step toward the door and almost tripped over something lying in the floor. She laughed and picked up a small box. "Anakin left his special box in here again."

Luke suddenly stood and grabbed the box from Leia's hands, surprising her by doing so. "Luke, what's wrong?"

Luke held the box in his hand and paced around the room. "Anakin and his special box." He mumbled.

Leia let him be for a few moments as he paced and mumbled the phrase over and over until finally she had to know what was going on. "Luke, what did Anakin do?" She asked, her voice strained with worry over her youngest child's apparent misdeed.

Luke suddenly stopped, realizing that she misunderstood. He rushed toward her to soothe her worries about the child that he felt closest to. "No, Leia, not that Anakin."

"What?" Leia watched Luke closely, unnerved by his burst of adrenaline and ranting.

Luke laughed softly. "No, I'm not going insane. In my dream...Vader keeps picking up a box and showing it to me. When you said Anakin left his special box, it made me remember that."

Leia squeezed her brother's forearms, glad that this mysterious dream was finally starting to make some inkling of sense to him. "So he is trying to show you a box. Any idea what kind of box?" She asked.

Luke sadly shook his head. "No, I don't know anything about a box. And I don't remember seeing one with his things that his attorney gave to me." He noticed that Leia shivered at that statement. Not wanting to open an old wound with them, he apologized. "Sorry."

Leia only stared at him, realization that she had been hiding from for years forcing it's way through to her. "You loved him didn't you?"

Luke was more than stunned by her question. "I don't want to fight with you..."

"No, nor I with you. Please, just answer me." She waited while he struggled with her asking him and with the question itself.

Luke finally shrugged. "Even when he was Lord Vader, I was drawn to him. He had answers to so many questions that I had. And the fact that I had a father after so long of not having one...yes, I was drawn to him." He admitted, surprised when she didn't become angry like he expected.

"What about later, when he turned to the lightside to save you?" She continued to press him. "Did you love him then?"

Luke wasn't sure why or what Leia was doing exactly but he could feel that it was important to her. "Yes, I loved him." He answered quietly.

Leia only smiled. "Good. I'm glad that you did and I'm sorry for not seeing how much you needed to love him."

Luke was more confused than ever. "I don't understand." He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked around for his shirt.

Leia walked over to the small chest of drawers and drew a clean one out, tossing it to him. "Bail Organa was my father, not Darth Vader and not Anakin Skywalker. I can say that because I know that Bail loved me and that I loved him. But I can't deny that Anakin Skywalker was your father for those very same reasons. And I can understand that now."

Leia knew it was time to make peace with their father, for the sake of her brother.

Luke quickly slipped his shirt on then walked over to his sister. "You do understand?" He was still amazed that she was even talking about this with him.

Leia gently held his face with her hands. "Yes, I understand. Now, lets figure out what your father is trying to tell you in your dreams." She laughed at the look on his face before walking out the door. Luke shook his head at his sister who never failed to amaze him then followed her toward breakfast.

Luke watched Jacen snatch Jaina's toast when she wasn't looking and had to smile at the sly eight-year-old. That smile soon vanished when his niece's attention was back on her breakfast plate and she noticed the missing food.

"Jacen." She angrily yelled at him, causing Han to look up from his own food.

"Jacen, what did you do this time?" He asked, knowing that his eldest son was always doing something to irritate his twin. Han glanced at Luke and wondered if that's what he and Leia would have been like. His attention diverted back to Jacen who grinned at him.

"She wasn't eating it." He reasoned.

Han glared at his son while Luke hid his smirk behind his caf cup and looked toward the smallest Solo. Anakin sat directly to Luke's right and he had finished his breakfast long ago and was now arranging the contents in the box that Luke had returned to him. Anakin's special box, Luke thought to himself. Those words still bothering him yet giving him a sense of excitement as well.

"Are you glad today isn't a school day?" He asked softly as not to interrupt the lecture Han was bestowing upon Jacen.

Pale blue eyes turned to look at him. "Yes, Uncle Luke." He smiled at his uncle. "I like staying home." He stated proudly. Luke affectionately ruffled the boy's hair, unable to stop the thoughts of if he ever had a son, would he look like Anakin, from rumbling through his mind. Luke still wondered about Leia naming her youngest son after their father when she still hadn't made peace with him or his memory.

"But you enjoy school, don't you Anakin?" He asked the six-year-old who had always displayed knowledge well beyond his years.

"Yes. I just wish I could take my special box with me." He sighed.

Luke frowned at the use of those words again. "Why can't you?" He asked though his mind was still trying to grasp whatever was alluding him.

Anakin smiled again. "Mom says that if all my important things are in my box, that I should leave it someplace safe and not leave it where other people could hurt my stuff."

"Anakin...your brother and sister are waiting for you." Han hated to interrupt his son and Luke but Jacen and Jaina had already bounded back up the stairs to try out their newest toy that Uncle Luke had purchased for them. Han stood and walked toward the stairs, wanting to get his own turn at the new video game.

The child gave Luke a quick hug then ran after his dad. Luke absentmindedly began putting Anakin's things back in his special box. He had just finished up when Leia entered the room. "Did you get enough to eat, Luke?" She asked as she poured herself a glass of fresh J'boal juice.

Luke chuckled. "Yes, I did. Are you off to work?"

"No," Leia shook her head, "not today. I thought that maybe you and I could have lunch together today or do something special." She replied.

Luke slowly stood from the table. "Leia, you don't have to baby-sit me. I'm going to be fine."

Leia stopped and looked at him. "I know you will be but I am here for you and I will always be." She didn't resist when Luke hugged her close, his embrace comforting her as much as she did for him.

"I know that, Leia. But you have your own life and I have to start putting mine back together again."

Leia drew back from him to see his face. "How will you do that?"

Luke knew she wasn't going to be happy. "Well, the first step is to get back to my own apartment." Luke kept talking before she could interrupt. "Mara isn't there anymore."

Leia nodded, remembering that yesterday in the hangar, Mara had told Luke she was going off with Talon and his crew. "Any idea where the Wild Karrde was heading?"

Luke sighed. "Talon sent me a message that they were meeting with the owner of Minro Trading to negotiate the absolution of their contract with them. Considering what Jervis has done, Talon thinks they can get out of their contract and end all contact with him."

Leia reminded herself to thank Talon for updating Luke on Mara's whereabouts. "Luke, it won't be that easy to get rid of Jervis." She warned her brother.

"I know that. He will be in Mara's life for a long time. She won't stay with him but he will drag the divorce out as long as possible to stay in her life." Luke knew this was how their future looked and that was why he knew that he and Mara had no future together.

Leia nodded in agreement. "And as long as Mara is married to Jervis, you won't be a part of her life?" She asked, making sure she understood what Luke intended.

"No, it hurts too much to be around her as a friend." Luke felt uncomfortable talking about this with his sister but he finished so she would understand. "And we can't be more than friends as long as she is married to someone else." He said softly, flushing at bit at telling Leia this.

Leia's heart wrenched at his soft-spoken explanation and though she hated what it meant for him and Mara, she understood why the two of them had walked away from each other. "I'm sorry, Luke, but I respect you for your decision." She watched him nod then quickly left the room on his way to his own apartment, his decision firm and the right one but already haunting him.

A few hours later, Wedge Antilles rang the buzzer to the Solo residence and waited for someone to answer. He took a deep breath, going over the speech he had prepared for Luke; the speech to convince Luke to let him go to Dolis to investigate Olan Jervis. Wedge grinned when a fellow Corellian opened the door.

"Han, good to see you." He shook the offered hand of the one time smuggler and was ushered inside the massive apartment.

"Wedge. What brings you by today?" Han reached down and moved a toy out of their path as the door swished shut behind them. Today was not a school day and the apartment reflected such with toys strewn about.

Wedge followed his friend into the common area, laughing when Han dumped the toys he had collected in the corner, deciding that there were just too many to care about. "Enjoying the kids being home today?"

Han shrugged as they took seats. "I love them but they are a handful." Both men glanced up as Leia entered the room. Wedge made a move to stand but was quickly stopped.

"Oh, don't get up, Wedge, " Her hand rested on his shoulder briefly as she glided past him to sit by Han. "It's good to see you, again." She smiled at the man, enjoying having a true friend around.

Wedge knew he was a trusted friend of theirs and that made him proud. "It's good to see you again, as well, Leia." Wedge remembered Leia's lecture on using her name and not her title unless in an official capacity. As her friend before she was the Chief of State, he found it all too easy to call her by name. "Is Luke around? I need to speak with him."

Han and Leia glanced at each other then Leia sighed. "No, he went back to his apartment earlier this morning." She and Wedge had briefly talked about the situation after Luke had quickly departed the hangar yesterday and she knew that Luke had opened up to his friend.

Han shook his head. "The kid is going through hell right now and I wish I knew how to help."

Wedge nodded in agreement. "I've been mulling over the same thing, Han. I've researched and checked through every contact and resource I have about Olan Jervis and come up with very little. None of which would help Luke so I've decided that I'm going to Dolis to poke around a bit."

Leia's eyes widened. "Does Luke know?"

"No," Wedge squirmed a bit, "I was coming to tell him but since he's not here...."

"No sense in bothering him with it, " Han interrupted, knowing exactly what Wedge was going to say. He winked at Wedge who grinned.

"My thoughts exactly." He knew he and Han would see eye to eye on this. It was Luke and Leia he was worried about. And with Luke not here, that only left the small woman snuggled against Han on the sofa.

Leia slowly nodded. "I think it's a good idea."

Han took a deep breath. "Good, because I'm going with him." Leia looked at him sharply then nodded again. Han kissed her forehead then directed his attention toward Wedge. "Is that alright with you?"

Wedge sat up in his chair. "Of course it is. I just wanna leave right away before Iella changes her mind." He avoided the scathing look Leia, defending a fellow woman, gave him.

Han stood up. "Give me a bit to pack a flight bag and say goodbye to the terrors and I'll be ready." He was out of the room, heading for the stairs before either could reply. Leia also stood, followed by the General.

"Wedge, thank you for helping Luke."

"He's my friend, Leia. He always has been and will be. And he deserves to be happy for once. We will fix this, we have to." Wedge answered firmly. He didn't like the way Luke was becoming moody and tense. Someone had to fix this entire mess.

Leia nodded, knowing the bond between her brother and Wedge was strong. "We'll figure something out because I know that Luke and Mara are meant to be together. The Force wills it and no one can change that."

Wedge wasn't sure about the Force but his own gut was telling him that this was wrong. "Why are you sure the Force wills it?" He asked, hoping that question wasn't too personal.

Leia sighed. "I see the two of them in my dreams, happy and growing old together. These are Force infused dreams so I know that this is not the way it's supposed to be. The present situation is Jervis' doing and not the will of the Force or Luke and Mara."

Han bounded back into the room so Wedge issued a quick goodbye to Luke's sister then walked away to wait at the door while Han told his wife goodbye. After a few minutes, Han and Leia walked to the door, hand in hand. "We can take the Falcon, Antilles." Han offered.

Wedge grinned. "Great, we may never get there then." He disappeared out the opening door before Han could reply. The Corellian kissed Leia once more then followed the General out the door. Leia watched the door slid shut and hoped with all her heart that the two of them could finds some answers. Answers that would end Luke's suffering.

Leia could hear the arguing coming from the upstairs and she leaned against the closed door. She wanted more than anything to go to her brother, to make sure he was ok but Leia knew she had to wait. Luke had asked for time and she couldn't deny him. I'll give you a few days, brother, then I'll check up on you, she mused to herself then smiled. "Besides, this way I don't have to tell you where Han and Wedge are."

Hearing the arguing increase in volume, Leia pushed away from the wall and headed toward the stairway to diffuse another situation with her children, knowing it wouldn't be long before the next one came along.

Chapter 28
A few days later

Leia poured herself another cup of caf then walked back into the living area to sink into the plush chair across from Luke. She gazed openly at her brother as she could feel him sink deeper and deeper into the Force. For fear of pushing Luke away, Leia had given him privacy and space for the past four days since Han and Wedge had left. She had concentrated on her children and had informed her long line of advisors and aides that she needed and would be taking a few days off. And today when Leia finally had to check up on her brother, she knew taking a few days away from her job had been the right thing to do. The Chief of State had been appalled to see the state Luke was in, wallowing in agony and looking haggard.

Leia had insisted that he take a long shower then meditate, threatening him of not leaving him alone until he did. Leia smiled, remembering how he had finally agreed and for the past hour or so had been steadily sinking into a meditative state that had alluded him recently.

Luke forced himself to relax even more as his dreams flew through his conscious mind then gradually slowed as his focus increased. This, the first productive meditative session he had had in over a week, was taking him slowly through the dreams that had been plaguing him the last few nights. Luke's thoughts mixed with those of his father in his vision, as the dreams transcended all time and space as the father reached out to the son.

Luke strained to see his father, who stood on the edge of his sight, his dark armor blending in with the blackness flowing through Luke's mind... blackness that fed from the anger that Luke had retained over the situation with Mara Jade. Luke watched as the Sith Lord approached then his anger mounted and he flew toward the dark giant.

"How could you do this to me? How could you help the Emperor destroy my life?" He screamed at the man.

The Lord Vader grabbed Luke's flailing arms. "Have you learned nothing about controlling your anger?" He waited until Luke calmed a bit. "You must let go of your anger, Luke. I know that you're angry but you can't let this push you toward the darkness. Not this after all you have fought against in your life."

Luke stumbled backwards, away from the dark man. "You are warning me away from the darkness?" He asked, not understanding why this was happening.

The Sith Lord's laughter rumbled in his chest. "Yes, I am warning you of the darkness. You have faced many adversaries in the past, Luke, and yet this one pushes you closer to darkness than any other. Why do you think that is?"

Luke frowned, glancing about around them and seeing the swirling thoughts and emotions around the father and son. "Because of my feelings for Mara. I love her and that is a new...."

Luke's voice trailed off and again the Dark Lord's laughter rumbled. "Yes, son, that is a new feeling for you."

Luke shook his head as his feeling became clearer and clearer. "She is the only woman that I have ever loved. Mara is my destiny."

Luke stumbled backwards as the dark armored man before him transformed into a much kinder, but older looking man. "But you must not loose yourself because of this, son. You must remain the Jedi Master you are and you must still guard yourself against evil."

Luke nodded, realizing that he had been wallowing in doubt and anger...drifting ever so closer to the darkside as he did. "Yes, I have to remain true to myself before I can be true to another."

Anakin Skywalker smiled at Luke, his pride of this child radiating from him. "Luke,when you awaken, you will have the knowledge to find the answers you seek."

Luke took a deep breath. "And what of you? When I awake?" He asked.

Anakin closed his eyes briefly. "Then I will know why I listened to the Force and to my heart even when it was consumed with evil. I did so for you and that saved my soul more than you will ever realize."

The towering man glanced over his shoulder. "I have to go, Luke. Leia is worried for you and my time is up here. You will soon understand all."

Luke quickly crossed the short distance between them and reached to embrace his father, only to find the apparition already disappearing. Instead, he met his father's gaze, feeling his purpose and intent intensifying as long as the gaze held.

Leia continued to pace about the room, keeping a constant eye on her brother. She glanced at the chrono on the wall then back at her brother. He had been meditating for several hours now and she was beginning to worry. She sat back down on the sofa beside his cross-legged form and almost yelped when he suddenly inhaled sharply and opened his eyes.

"Father." He mumbled then relaxed back against the sofa, stretching his legs as he did so.

Leia reached over to gently squeeze his shoulder. "Did you sort out the dreams? Make any more progress toward figuring them out?"

Luke's head turned slightly and he smiled at his twin. "He was warning me against losing my true self and losing the light within me by doing so."

Leia grinned, glad that Luke finally saw that he had changed over the last few months. Some changes were good but not all were. "And do you see what he was referring to?" She asked.

"Yes...I am a Jedi Master and I have to always be that....but it's ok to be Luke as well as long as I am the true Luke and not the one tainted by anger and revenge." Luke sighed, feeling a calmness that had alluded him for many weeks settle through out him, permeating ever fiber of his being.

Leia withdrew her hand from Luke's shoulder as she watched and felt the transformation in her brother. Luke chuckled softly. "I'll get through this, Leia." He reassured him.

Leia suddenly leaned over and kissed Luke on the cheek. "Yes, I know you will." There was no doubt of that now. "Did...Anakin say anything else?"

Luke kissed Leia affectionately on her cheek and stood to stretch, stiff from his hours of meditating. "Yes," Luke allowed himself to delve even deeper into the calm feeling that his meditation had bestowed upon him. "He said I would now have the knowledge to find the answers that I need."

Leia also stood. "And do you?" She asked hesitantly.

Luke began a slow pace around the room, thinking of the past dreams. "I don't know, Leia. I mean, I can feel...." His voice trailed off and Leia followed him as Luke bounded toward the bedroom.

Leia watched as he rummaged through the top of the closet and pulled a black box from the upper shelf. "Luke, what is this?" Leia asked, wondering about the grin on her brother's face.

Luke sat it down on the corner of his bed and knelt before it. "This is Anakin's special box."

"But Anakin..." She didn't finish as she realized what he meant. "Where did you get this?" She whispered.

"It was delivered by father's attorney when he contacted me about my inheritance." Luke eyed the box, having flipped through the contents before and knowing that it contained several datapads but nothing more. He opened the box and dumped its contents out. Luke once again stood, his eyes roaming over the dozen or so datapads before settling on one. He picked it up and couldn't help the surge of joy that coursed through him as he did.

Leia could also feel the excitement stemming from the datapad. She watched as Luke opened it and only a blank screen greeted them.

"Oh, Luke." She whispered.

Luke flipped a switch and the screen brightened, showing the Imperial Seal as well as the personal symbol of the Sith Lord Vader. It also flashed a message asking for the password. Leia looked at Luke and together they breathed the word Skywalker. Luke typed it in and immediately his father's still helmeted face appeared.

Leia inhaled sharply and took a step away but then Luke wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer while holding the datapad with one hand. The image before them spoke...

"If you are hearing my voice, then you must be the correct person to view this as it is password protected."

The deep voice rumbled and even though the persona in front of him was evil, Luke couldn't help but feel the corners of his mouth curl up at seeing his father again.

The Sith Lord's helmeted head titled upwards slightly as he continued. "I have no idea why but I defied my Master today. I was instructed to sign a marriage certificate for one of his hands and I intended on obeying. Only, every time I made a move to do so, the Force screamed at me to not do so."

Luke took a deep breath and he could feel Leia's grip around his own waist tighten in support. The recording continued....

"I have served my Master well, but I must also serve the Force. Though I have no understanding of why, I cannot and will not sign the marriage certificate before me. It is my only wish that someday I understand why this is so important to me but for now, I will follow the will of the Force."

With those final words, the recording ended and another screen appeared. Luke felt his knees go weak at the sight of the marriage certificate of Mara Jade and Olan Jervis, minus the signature on one all-important witness. Luke shut the datapad and wrapped his arms around his sister, hugging her close.

Leia was laughing. "Luke, you are married to Mara. Do you understand this?" She laughed more as he twirled her around and around. "You have to contact Mara. She has to know."

Luke sat Leia on the floor, his mood calm again. "No, not until I speak to Bryce. I can't get her hopes up if this isn't enough...."

Leia nodded. "Then let's get over there right away." She grabbed Luke's hand and practically pulled him from the room, Luke clutching the gift from his father tightly in his hand.

Luke paced around the room, his need to see Mara increasing with every step and knowing the only thing stopping him now was Bryce verifying the document he still clutched in his hand. He still berated himself over letting her go in the first place, while knowing that it had been best for both of them. Luke skidded to a halt as the door swung open and Bryce entered his office.

Leia had been standing patiently watching Luke wear the flooring out but when Bryce walked in, she too crowded toward him.

Bryce looked up from the datapad he was holding when he noticed his visitors. He nodded to Leia then addressed the one he knew the best. "What's going on, Luke?"

Luke held out a datapad. "Will you look at this, Bryce? Please." He added with a barely controlled voice. Bryce tossed his own datapad onto his desk and took the one Luke offered.

"What is it?" He asked as he activated it only to see the Imperial Seal, Lord Vader's Seal and password message. "What's the password?" He asked, wondering what Luke could have that could have been a classified Imperial document.

Luke swallowed hard. "The password is Skywalker."

Bryce frowned in confusion. "Skywalker? Where did you get this?"

Luke sighed. "It was in the personal belongings of my father that were given to me years ago."

Bryce nodded, still finding it hard to believe that Darth Vader could be the father of the kind hearted man standing before him. He quickly typed in the password and gasped when he saw the man himself on the screen. "I'll be Kesseled..."

Luke watched him closely as the lawyer listened to the message before he continued. "This was with the personal belongings of my father. According to the message, my father did not sign as a witness to the marriage of Mara Jade and Olan Jervis." Luke's voice quivered slightly as his emotions were threatening to overtake him.

"Bryce, please tell me that this is real." He pleaded.

The attorney shook his head in amazement. "Luke, this is the Imperial Seal on this datapad, along with the personal seal of Emperor Palpatine on the marriage certificate....it is real."

Leia laid her hand on Bryce's arm. "This will counteract the petition Jervis has?" She asked and her mood lightened when he nodded yes.

Luke still stayed rooted to the spot. What he had learned was good but there was more that had to be true for his life to be back in order, for him to have his wife back. "Bryce...if this is real then does that mean that Jervis and Mara's marriage is not legal? Two witnesses did not sign the license."

An incredible smile lit the attorney's face. "That's exactly what it means...and that your marriage to Mara is still in effect."

Bryce clutched the datapad closer as Luke's eyes closed and he held the corner of the desk. Leia rushed around Bryce to her brother. "It's ok, Luke. It's all going to be fine now."

She held onto his arm tightly, waiting until he opened his eyes. He suddenly straightened and looked at her. "I have to find Mara." He said, the strength they all knew returning to his voice.

Leia smiled. "We can reach her on the holocom..."

"No," Luke interrupted, "I want to tell her in person. I'm going to Dolis."

Leia wanted to argue but she knew it was useless. "Han saw her earlier. She will be on Dolis a few more days to finish up the termination of their contract with Minro Trading."

Luke grinned. "I'm going to see her."

Leia understood. "Alright. I think you should. Mara should hear this from you, in person but I can't go with you in your X-Wing."

"Leia, you can't..." He began only to be cut off by her.

"I could feel that you were going to need me, Luke. I already took a few days off from my job. I am going with you." Her hands were on her hips, daring him to disagree.

Luke smiled at her. "We'll take the Jade's Fire." Luke stated, wanting to feel close to Mara and knowing this would be a good way to do so and knowing he would be agitated alone for three days on the Fire.

"What?" Leia was flabbergasted. "You're going to take Mara's ship? Not me. No way...I still have a few good years left that I'm not throwing away."

Luke grinned at Leia's assertion of Mara then squeezed Bryce's shoulder. "Thank you for your help."

The older man nodded. "I'll contact Jervis and set this straight while you find your wife."

Luke was startled. "You'll do that for me?"

"Of course, I'll take care of all the legalities, you concentrate on Mara." Bryce thought of something else, "Though from seeing and hearing of Jervis, it might be wise if we ask for a order of protection against him where Mara is concerned."

Luke nodded. "You do what you think is best and fill me in later?" He was more than anxious to get started on his journey toward Mara.

Bryce nodded. "I will contact you." He stepped to the side. "Now, get out of here."

Luke looked at his sister. "I'm taking the Fire to Dolis. Are you coming?" He wanted to have company of the long trip but was determined to take the Fire, Mara's ship.

Leia blew a long sigh out her mouth. "Just let me make sure Winter is ok with the children...and that my will is updated." She bid Bryce a quick goodbye as Luke grabbed Leia by the hand and pulled her from the room.

Bryce laughed at the Jedi Master's eagerness while still holding the datapad in his hand. He sat down behind his desk, locking the datapad in a fireproof box inside his locked desk before activating the holocom and thumbing through the small side screen to locate Olan Jervis' personal number. Bryce took a deep breath as the image of the man appeared before him. The coldness of the man surprised him but he still managed to muster his best professional smile and demeanor.

"Hello, Jervis. As you know, I am Mara Jade Skywalker's attorney," He stressed Mara's true last name and watched the man he was addressing leaned closer to the screen, "and I am here to inform you of a few...developments in your pursuit of Jedi Master Skywalker's wife."

This time Bryce did recoil from the look of the man staring him down. The lawyer steeled himself and began his attempt at making Jervis see that Mara was not his wife, that she never had been and never would be, unaware of the damage that his conversation with Olan Jervis was causing.

Chapter 29

Mara Jade stormed off the bridge of the Wild Karrde, her temper at an all time high where the competent yet grossly irritating crewmember was concerned. Aves looked from the now fidgeting young crewer to the seasoned captain of the ship.

Talon took a deep breath then followed the Jedi Knight from the bridge, leaving Aves to explain to the young man why he really shouldn't infuriate Mara Jade. Talon caught up with Mara just as she entered her cabin.

"Mara..." He called out.

She stepped inside the small room then whirled around to face her friend. "He was wrong, Talon." She replied defensively.

Talon also stepped inside and held his hands up to stop her verbal assault. "I know he was and I'll talk to him. I just want to make sure that you are ok." Talon was careful not to crowd the woman more. She was on edge and frankly, he didn't like how weary she looked all the time.

Some of Mara's anger ebbed away. "I'm fine." She paced about the crowded room that had felt terribly empty the last few nights. "I just...I'm so damn emotional lately."

Talon had noticed too and knew it was because of the situation with Luke. Then another thought occurred to him but he quickly shoved it aside.

Mara's head jerked around as his sudden surprise then nervousness seeped through the Force toward her. "What, Talon?"

"Nothing," He answered too quickly. Mara took a step closer and repeated herself.

"What is it?" She knew he was hiding something from her. Her eyes narrowed and Talon immediately felt sorry for the crewer she had just publicly skewered.

He sighed. "I just wondered if you might be pregnant." He answered softly.

Mara inhaled sharply and Talon braced for the hit, knowing he had crossed the line but genuinely worried about her. Mara's finger appeared before his face and her tirade was about to be unleashed when she felt his concern. She sighed and stepped away. "No, I'm not." She resumed her pacing. "That would have been even worse." She mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't want you stressed out over business if you were." He apologized.

Mara nodded. "I know...and thank you. I really am just tired."

Talon could easily see how tired she was. For the first time since meeting her, Talon could catch glimpses of a fragile Mara Jade every now and then and not always the tough image she had always projected.

Mara turned back around. "The crew don't know, do they?" She suddenly wondered if they all knew about her marriage to Jervis and lack of one to Luke.

"No, they just think you're stressed because you're away from Luke." Talon reassured her of her privacy in this matter. "They do not know the whole story."

"Good. I want to keep it that way. At least for a while longer." She replied, not looking forward to the whole galaxy finding out about their situation. "Have you heard back from the board at Minro yet?" She was anxious to end their association with that particular company.

Talon frowned. "Actually, I haven't but I will contact them later today if we haven't heard by then." Talon shifted his weight uncomfortably at the mention of Minro Trading. "I need to confess something to you."

Mara's brow arched. "What?"

"Jervis has come by the ship a few times since we docked a few days ago." He admitted.

Mara didn't understand. "I haven't seen him." She hadn't even heard that he had been here.

Again, Talon shifted. "You were upset and I didn't think you would want to see him and Luke had told me to not let him near you, " He quickly finished when he saw her hands go on her hips, "so I have guards stationed to not let him on the Wild Karrde." Considering how furious Mara had been a few minutes ago, he couldn't believe he was telling her this now.

Mara took a deep breath and slowly blew it out her mouth, her anger piqued at Talon and Luke's interference. "I am a big girl and can take care of myself." She spit out.

"Yes, but friends help friends, Mara." Talon tallied, his own temper strangely flaring. Both were interrupted when Ghent stuck his head through the still open door.

"Talon, we need you to authorize a shipment of supplies and there's a com call for you on a personal channel." He yelled out then kept on going.

Talon shook his head. "Duty calls."

Mara grabbed him by the arm when he turned around to leave and sighed. "Thank you, friend."

She then let him go and walked into her refresher, the door shutting behind her. Talon grinned at the closed door, knowing that Luke Skywalker had changed Mara Jade more than anyone could ever imagine. He exited her cabin and headed for the cargo bay, more determined than ever to keep Jervis away from Mara.

Han Solo angrily threw the datapad flying across the room, uttering curses that almost made the other Corellian in the room blush. Han walked over the large synthe-glass window that extended from the floor to the ceiling in this rented room and stared outside. His room was on the fourteenth floor and most all of Dolis was visible from here and Han felt as if they had covered most of Dolis in their search.

"Four days here, Wedge, and we've turned up nothing on this scumbag." He growled.

Wedge Antilles walked up beside Han, his own frustration matching the other man's perfectly. They had scoured all record offices, spoke to anyone and everyone they could without arousing suspicion and so far they had turned up nothing other than what they had already found out. Wedge sighed. "Either Jervis is totally legit in all his business dealings and leading a perfect life or he's awfully good at hiding it."

Han nodded. "There's only one place we haven't checked yet." He looked over at his friend when he heard the long, tired sigh. "We have to Wedge."

The General continued to stare out the large window, his eyes settling on the hangar not too far from where they were staying. He and Han had made a point of finding out where the Wild Karrde was docked, just in agree, Han, but I think we need to do something else as well."

Han stepped away from the window, his gaze upon the darker man beside him. He knew exactly what Wedge was thinking. "I'll contact them."

Wedge continued to stare out the window, loosing track of time until he was shaken from his reverie by the buzzer. Wedge turned and watched as Han opened the door, allowing entrance to Talon Karrde and a very weary looking Mara Jade. Wedge sighed and walked closer, Mara's deteriorating appearance making him even more determined to find a way to end the torment she and Luke were being forced to endure.

A few hours later, Mara Jade sat across from the director of Minro Trading and Olan Jervis. She glanced to the side of her and was reassured of Talon Karrde's presence. Mara was not afraid of Jervis, only afraid of what she might do to this man whose very face she couldn't remember from the past but now haunted her every move. She extended her Force sense a bit, keeping track of what was occurring in the office only a few doors down.

Talon's voice rose a pitch. "Are you telling me that you wish to continue your contract with myself and Mara."

The director, Leward, took a deep breath. "This contract is very lucrative to all of us concerned. I don't think we should allow petty differences..."

Mara's fist pounded on the desk as she angrily sat forward. "Petty differences? The man beside you had been harassing me since I met him concerning this deal. And if that wasn't enough, now he claims to be my husband. I think these may be differences that we will not be able to overcome and will not allow us to work together."

Leward avoided her gaze. "These are all claims on your part..."

Mara quickly stood. "So this is how it works now? I'm the raving lunatic and Jervis is the poor, done-wrong man?"

Talon also stood, edging closer to the seething Jedi, knowing it was time for them to exit when she stood. "The fact is that Jervis claims to be married to Mara, creating a conflict of interest in this deal. We are asking that you agree to terminate the contract. If not, a Justice System will agree to it." The trader was growing weary of the games going on here.

The director slowly stood, looking at the strangely quiet Jervis as he did. Jervis could see the anger and knew that he was not in best graces of his employer. Leward shook his head when Jervis started to speak, instead he angrily grabbed the datapad Talon had brought and entered his signature and seal on it.

"Contract terminated, so kindly leave my building." He tossed the datapad toward Talon, who was glad to have it but was irritated by the lack of courtesy from the man.

"I can see where Jervis got his business savvy now." Talon hissed, stepping aside to allow Mara to walk toward the exit of the dark office first.

The two marched down the hallway and were surprised when Jervis followed, calling out to Mara. "Mara, we need to talk."

Talon pushed the button for the turbolift and stepped between Jervis and Mara. "She doesn't want to talk to you."

Jervis sneered. "Strange that the Emperor's Hand is allowing another to speak for you. My, how you have...changed."

Mara stepped around Talon, all her fury from the last few weeks building inside her. She had grasped Jervis by the shirt and slammed him against the wall before he could react. Mara's face was inches from his, her words hitting his face with the power of a whip. "Don't you ever call me that again. I am Mara Jade, pawn to no one."

Jervis looked down at the slight woman who didn't realize she was almost pressed against him. "Actually, you are Mara D'Rowe and you would do well to not forget that."

Mara stepped backwards, his threat ringing loud and clear. She heard the turbolift open and Talon take her by the arm. Mara shrugged free and stepped into the lift, her eyes catching Jervis when she did. He leaned into the lift. "You were mine once and you will be again, no matter how I have to do it."

Talon lunged for the man, Mara catching him by the arm and pulling him back against her. "No, Talon. He'll have you detained." Mara's arm was stretched across Talon's broad chest, not capable of holding him in place but slowing him down at least.

Jervis stepped from the doorway of the turbolift. "Remember my words, Mara. Come to me of your own free will or....you will regret it."

Mara glared at him, his threat sending shivers up her back as the turbolift door finally swished shut. Mara released Talon and turned away, her forehead leaned against the padded leather interior of the lift.

Talon took a few deep breaths. "Mara...this has gone too far." He knew she was upset but Jervis had just taken this to a whole different level. "He's not trying to hide his obsession anymore and I really don't think he would stop at anything to get you."

Mara stepped out of the lift when they reached the bottom floor, with Talon right behind her. "I'm a Jedi, Karrde, I can take care of myself."

Talon threw his hands up in exasperation. "Of course you can. Mara Jade is invincible and tough as bantha skin."

Mara smiled. "Yes, I am."

She hopped into the waiting hovercar and scooted to the far side to allow Talon entrance. She looked at the two men across from her on the seat facing hers as the hovercar started toward their destination. "Did you find anything?"

Han Solo didn't want to be the one to tell her what they found but he knew it had to be done. "Mara, this man is obsessed with you."

Mara rolled her eyes. "All that snooping and that's all you came up with? We already knew that."

Han looked at Wedge when he picked up. "We found a folder in Jervis' desk, full of photos of you." Wedge swallowed hard. "And some of you and Luke together with Luke's face having been blacked out."

Mara sat back against the seat. "Pictures of us?"

Wedge nodded. "He has apparently had someone following the two of you for a long time."

Han looked at the shaken woman, frowning at how tired she looked. "Some of the pictures were as far back as last year." Han slid the offending folder from the seat beside him and held it out to her. Mara grabbed it quickly and opened it, gasping as she did. Her hands began to shake as she looked through the pictures of her in various places and functions. There were intimate pictures of her and Luke's recent kissing frenzy in the park, as well as some of them at the club before the explosion at the club. She stared at the picture of her sitting on Luke's lap right before they felt something was wrong.

Mara looked up at Han but couldn't force the words out. Talon reached over and squeezed her arm. "We will stop him, Mara."

Wedge and Han both agreed with the trader. Han sighed. "We didn't find anything else in his office." He admitted.

Mara only nodded, closed the folder in her lap and stared out at the passing scenery, feeling in the pit of her stomach that the situation was about to explode and knowing she was powerless to stop it.

Jervis sank into his chair, his eyes dark with fury at himself for letting his redheaded wife slip from his grasp again. He punched in his access code and his bottom drawer slid open. Jervis fumbled through the drawer then slid from his chair to frantically search through it when he couldn't find what he was looking for. Cursing to himself, Jervis pushed up to his feet and kicked the offending drawer, anger consuming him like never before.

He was about to storm after Jade and her accomplices when his holocom beeped, signaling a message. Jervis offhandedly switched the screen on, then scowled at the man addressing him, knowing full well who he was.

Jervis' irritation grew as Bryce Stanton's jabs struck the nerves that were already strained. He leaned forward in his seat, his eyes widening as the lawyer told him an interesting tale and transmitted two copies to him, one a recording and the other a document.

Jervis looked at them both and thumbed the holocom off without another word after he did. His face distorted with anger, Jervis slowly rose to his feet.

"You have left me no choice, Mara. It's time for you to come home." Jervis' arm sent the holocom unit careening across the room then he turned and stalked from his office. He had made it to the turbolift when Leward stepped into the hallway, asking Jervis into his office. A few moments later, Jervis emerged angrier than ever and now determined to have Mara Jade or destroy her if he couldn't.

Chapter 30
Three days later

Mara Jade glanced around the dusty warehouse with her gaze finally resting on the large packing crates that were scheduled to go onto one of Talon's ships in a few days but now would not. Mara glanced at her chrono, not really wanting to be here on a non-workday as the deserted warehouse was making her tense and she wanted out of here soon. She directed her attention back to the director of Minro Trading as his voice echoed through the warehouse. He handed her a datapad.

"That's the nullification document on that datapad. We are now officially not in business anymore." Leward explained to her, a hint of regret tinting his voice.

Mara sighed as she looked over the datapad. "Talon and I didn't want it to end this way but I'm sure you can see why we had no choice." Her eyes met the older man's and he nodded his head.

"I knew Jervis was aggressive but I had no idea that he would go to this extent. He used my business for his own personal gains." He had seen a side of Jervis he had never seen before when he had called the man into his office a few days earlier.

Mara snorted. "Trust me, he has nor will he receive any personal gains from this." Mara suddenly thought of something. "I wanted to thank you for not mentioning this to anyone. The press would love to know about Jervis and the...marriage." She wasn't sure how to describe Jervis, her and Luke anymore.

The director smiled. "I know this is hard for you. I wouldn't add to that. Who knows, now that Jervis is gone, maybe someday we can do business again..."

Mara frowned. "What do you mean that Jervis is gone?" She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand and Mara glanced around again as Leward answered.

"I thought it best that Jervis not work for Minro Trading any longer. I let him go right after you and Karrde left the office a few days ago." The older man explained.

Mara took a deep breath. "I see." She tensed as another figure came into view behind Leward. Jervis walked steadily toward them and Mara's hand rested on her hip, her finger atop her saber hilt. Leward noticed this and turned around just as Jervis reached them.

"Leward, Mara..." He nodded to them both, not a drop of sincerity in his voice.

The director was none too pleased to see his former employer. "Jervis, you have no right to be...." Before the man could finish, Jervis had wrapped his arm around his neck. Pulling him up against him, Jervis pointed his blaster to the man's head just as Mara's blade ignited.

"Uh, uh, Mara...." He clicked his tongue in mock annoyance at her. "Put the lightsaber out please." He pushed the blaster tip deeper into Leward's fleshy temple to emphasize his point.

Mara silently scolded herself for being caught off guard but then again, Jervis had not been this straightforward before. Mara eyed his unkempt appearance and after seeing the wild, unfocused look in his eyes, she thumbed the saber off.

"Good girl, Mara." Jervis coaxed her. "Now hand the saber to Leward." He waited until his former boss had the saber before loosening his arm around Leward's neck. "Don't move or I might accidentally fire." He warned him.

Using his now free hand, while the other still held the blaster to Leward's temple, Jervis shoved the saber into his jacket pocket and clumsily zipped it. He then wrapped his arm around Leward's neck again. "It's time for you to come home, Mara."

The Jedi Knight sighed, her mind working quickly to find a way to help the innocent man. "Let him go and I'll come with you." She asked.

Jervis laughed. "Turn around."

"What? Jervis..." Mara stopped talking and turned around when Jervis jabbed the blaster against Leward's temple even harder, causing the man to cry out in pain.

Mara stood perfectly still, feeling the men move closer to her turned back. "Jervis, don't do anything that you...." Her words were cut off as she felt a stabbing pain in the back of her head and blackness descended upon her.

Jervis watched as Mara slumped to the floor unconscious from his hit with his blaster to her head. He shoved Leward aside and bent to scoop up the woman in his arms but hesitated. Jervis unzipped his pocket and threw the lightsaber toward Leward.

"Tell Master Skywalker that my wife will no longer need this." He laughed cryptically then picked the unconscious woman up in his arms.

Leward waited until they were out the exit before jumping to his feet and sounding the alarm. His mind worked overtime, wondering how he could have not seen the devastating course this man had been on and if anyone would be able to save Mara Jade with the demented state of mind he was in.

Leia took a deep breath as the Jade's Fire landed in the massive hangar, only a few spaces down from where the Wild Karrde was housed. She watched as her brother did the final shutdown on the ship, his wife's ship. A slight smile spread across Leia's face thinking of Luke and Mara's life being back on track. It had been a long three-day trip from Coruscant to Dolis, with Luke's excitement at having his wife back increasing every minute. The two of them had indulged in endless hours of lightsaber practice to use up Luke's energy then they would spend hours talking about the future. Leia had never felt closer to her brother.

Luke glanced over the controls one last time as he unsnapped his seat's safety strap. When he was finally satisfied that he had remembered everything, he looked at his sister who still sat smiling at him. "What?" He asked.

She shrugged. "I'm just happy that I'll be seeing Han soon...and that you will be with your wife again."

Luke grinned. "My wife. Mara is my wife, isn't she?" He wasn't really asking her a question but more of a disbelieving statement. He stood and reached over to help Leia with her safety strap. "See, I told you I could fly this ship." He teased.

Leia stood and stretched as he walked toward the rear of the small ship. "I had no doubt of that, Luke. Just doubt that Mara wouldn't kill us both for using her ship without her knowing."

Luke stopped and waited for Leia to catch up with him at the doorway leading to the hallway. "She shouldn't have taught me to fly it and given me the codes if she didn't want me using it."

Leia smacked him playfully. "Can my things stay here until I see Han? Then I'll move them to the Falcon."

"Sure they can." The twins joined hands and made their way down the hallway, passing Mara's cabin that Luke had resided in over the three-day trip and the one next to it where Leia had bunked. At the end of the narrow hallway, the two turned sharply to the left and into the open belly of the ship. Luke practically dragged Leia toward the opening ramp, knowing that Han and the others had been alerted to their presence. It was their business to know the comings and goings of the hangar and the Jade's Fire landing was sure to be noticed. He was purposely not tapping into the Force and keeping his barriers tight, not wanting Mara to know that he was here and why until he saw her in person.

Luke and Leia bounded down the descending ramp, not at all surprised to see Wedge, Han, and Talon waiting for them. Leia bounded into Han's outstretched arms and he hugged her tight.

Luke stood halfway down the ramp, his gaze narrowing as he saw the grim mood the people gathered were in. His gaze caught Talon's and Luke started toward him. "Where is she?"

Leia heard Luke's question and she looked up at Han, surprised to see his happiness at seeing her vanquished. Han looked down at his princess and slowly shook his head. Leia looked toward Luke, feeling him opening himself to the Force and searching for his wife.

Talon took a deep breath. "She was at the Minro warehouse earlier today when Jervis showed up." Talon was surprised when Luke didn't become angry but then he hadn't heard the worst yet. "Jervis held the director of Minro hostage until he could...knock Mara out. He left with her and we haven't been able to find them yet."

Talon waited for the explosion from the Jedi Master but was surprised again when Luke only took a deep breath. "A few hours ago?" He inquired.

Han, Wedge and Leia moved closer to them, pride oozing from Leia at her brother's renewed calm and centered self. Wedge laid his arm on the younger man's shoulder. "We have scoured the city over and can't find her, Luke."

Han nodded. "But she is on this planet. Investigator Dobbs has stopped all outgoing ships until they are searched thoroughly. Mara is on this planet."

Luke looked around at them, appreciative of their efforts. "I'll find her. After getting her back, there's no way I will lose her again." His voice was calm and reflective of the Jedi Master he was.

Wedge frowned. "What do you mean, got her back?"

"Leia can tell you the latest." Luke gave him a quick, fleeting smile then closed his eyes and drew the Force around him, channeling the energy into one effort. He quickly sunk deeply into the mystical power, searching for any trace of Mara and her whereabouts.

Leia watched her brother, knowing his attention was on his wife. She patted Han's chest and the former smuggler looked down at his wife. "The latest? What are you doing here, princess?"

Leia laughed softly. "I tagged after Luke while he came here to tell Mara about a gift from his...from our father." She corrected.

Han's eyebrow shot up. "What?"

Leia laughed and looked around at Luke and Mara's friends. "Our father never signed the marriage certificate between Jervis and Mara. Their marriage was not real, making Luke and Mara's marriage very real and binding."

Han hugged Leia close, knowing this was the best possible thing that could happen to the two Jedi Knights. His gaze fell on the young man who was still as a statue. "Now, we just find Mara and their lives will be back on track." He said with a fierce determination in his voice.

Luke suddenly inhaled sharply and looked around. "I have to find her."

Leia didn't like the look in his eyes. "What is it, Luke?"

Her brother sighed. "Jervis is out of control. All I sense from him is utter confusion and anger. I don't think Jervis just intends on possessing Mara any longer. He will kill her if he thinks it's necessary."

Talon began pacing. "Where would he take her?" His hand brushed against his pocket and Talon suddenly remembered what he needed to give Luke. He pulled the long cylinder from his pocket and held it toward the Jedi, reminiscent of another time he had done the same thing when Mara had been in trouble.

Luke's eyes narrowed as he looked at the cylinder. As soon as his hand closed around it, he could feel the agitation of the man who had taken this from his wife. Luke caught the fleeting sense of Jervis and tried his best to hold onto it, searching for any clues as to where Mara might be. After a few seconds, he attached the cylinder to his belt and turned toward the exit of the hangar.

"Luke," Han called out, "Where are you going?" Han stepped away from Leia and waited for Luke to answer.

Luke stopped and looked back. "I just have to follow my feelings..."

Han didn't like this. "Let us go with you." Wedge and Talon both nodded their heads in agreement.

Luke hesitated for a second. "I have to do this. Jervis is dangerous and I don't know what he might do. I don't want anyone else hurt."

Wedge nodded. "We understand that. But we want to go, Luke. Let us help you."

Luke smiled faintly at him, the support of his friends renewing his inner strength. "All right." He finally agreed.

Talon flipped open his comlink and contacted Shada, telling her their plans and putting her in full charge. Han glanced down at his wife. "Why don't you stay here aboard the Wild Karrde?"

He immediately regretted his words when her hands went to her hips. "Han Solo..."

Han interrupted her. "I know, Leia. I just want you to be safe." He argued and continued ranting off reasons until he noticed that she was smiling. Glancing around at the other amused faces, Han knew he had been had. "You're staying here, aren't you?" He sighed.

Leia kissed his flushed face. "Yes, Flyboy, I'm staying here. Too many of us would just slow Luke down and possibly endanger Mara."

Luke had started walking off from the group so Wedge and Talon jogged after him. Han kissed Leia again quickly, muttering an endearment of love against her lips.

Leia smiled after him as Han ran to catch up with the others. The Chief of State's smile soon faded when she remembered where the men were headed off to. She just hoped they would reach Mara before Jervis did anything stupid. Her brother was back to normal and she didn't want him to suffer anymore.

Luke had trained every sense he had, Force and instinctual, towards pinpointing Mara's location and now over two standard hours later, the four men found themselves still winding through a densely foliaged forest.

Wedge beat a branch back and wished that he could snatch one of the lightsabers from Luke's waist and carve a path. Luke, highly attuned to the Force, turned around and smiled at Wedge who was embarrassed to be thinking of the very thing Luke had told them repeatedly that they couldn't do. Wedge shrugged at him slightly then looked up through the tree branches as a light rain began to fall and dark clouds were gathering in the sky.

Luke turned back around and several minutes later, he stopped and peered into the slight clearing ahead. The men crowded around to view the small stone house that was nestled between a large cropping of trees and a massive rock wall. If not for the fact that the man inside the house was holding Mara against her will, Luke would have been awed by the beauty and deceptive tranquillity of the small abode.

Luke took another few steps forward then staggered a bit. Han knew the look on his brother in laws face. "Ysalamiri?"

Luke nodded and let himself adjust to the feeling of being Force-less before the men cautiously made their way closer to the house. Wedge and Han gestured that they were going around one side of the house while Luke and Talon took the other. Luke took the lead and was surprised to hear voices as he and Talon cleared the side of the house and approached the rear just as the intensity of the rain increased and the large drops pelted the men.

"Jervis, I am warning you." Mara's voice was shrill and it made every muscle in Luke's body tense. He had only heard her voice that way when she was really angry or worried.

"We need to move her back inside the house with this blasted storm striking." A voice rang out, ignoring Mara's warning. Luke stiffened, knowing the voice to be Jervis'. "Dear Mara, you and I will have the life we were supposed to have."

Luke risked a quick glance around the corner of the house and could see Jervis standing with his back to him and Mara right in his face, rain beating down on her while two men held her by the arms.

Luke carefully approached Jervis, who didn't notice Mara's eyes widening as she saw Luke. One of the men nodded toward Luke. "Looks like you got company, boss."

Jervis laughed softly and turned around as Luke approached and Talon stepped out into view. "You should have stayed away, Jedi." He drawled and pulled his blaster from its holster.

Mara struggled against her captors as she saw Jervis' move. She twisted a bit and landed a hard kick to Jervis's back, causing him to whip around in anger. . Jervis raised his hand to strike Mara then shrieked as Luke's arm hooked around the man's throat, twisting him away from Mara. Jervis' elbow connected with Luke's stomach but the Jedi still kept his grip around the other man's neck. Luke growled in his ear. "I told you more than once to stay away from my wife."

He pushed Jervis to the ground and towered above him in complete calm, waiting for the opportunity to finish this. One man released Mara's arm and stepped toward Luke only to have the butte of a blaster came down across the back of his head from an unnoticed general sneaking up behind him.

Mara shook her arm slightly then buried her fist into the belly of the man still holding her. She brought her knee up when he doubled over, smashing his nose and sending him to his knees. A hard, double fisted hit to the back of his neck sent him into unconsciousness and flat of his face. Mara flipped her soaked hair out of her face and nodded to Wedge Antilles for his help and noticed Han was there was well.

Both men's attention was on Luke as Jervis had scrambled to his feet and the two men were circling each other. Jervis had re-holstered his blaster but Luke still watched him closely.

Talon took Mara by the arm and pulled her away from the two fighting men. "Are you all right?" He asked hurriedly. Mara ignored him completely and watched Luke and Jervis.

Jervis made a move to grab Luke's leg but that same leg kicked him across chest. Luke watched as the man grunted in pain then lunged at him. Luke grabbed his shoulders and brought his knee up repeatedly into the man's stomach until Jervis finally slumped to the ground.

Luke released him and Mara started toward him, to only hesitantly back away when remembering that they weren't together any longer.

"Mara, there's something that I have to tell you..." Luke took another step towards his wife, desperately needing to tell her the truth of their marriage. He suddenly tensed as Mara grabbed him by the tunic and used her momentum to push the two of them to the side as a blaster shot zinged past them, barely missing Luke's shoulder.

The two Jedi tumbled to the ground as they heard another blaster shot then both were on their feet with Luke holding an ignited lightsaber, the one he had given Mara a few years ago. An agony-ridden scream mixed with the first clap of thunder as one man was wounded.

Mara looked from Jervis who was struggling to his feet with his hand tucked under his opposite armpit. Blood dripped from the wound he was trying to cover and mixed with the pounding rain as he glared at Talon who still held his blaster in his hand.

Luke quickly stood and offering a hand, pulled Mara to her feet just as the rest of Jervis' men heard the commotion and came running out the door. One man tackled Han as he stood the closest to them.

Talon cursed and holstered his blaster, knowing he could injure Han too easily with it. He met one of the approaching men and the two immediately began grappling.

Luke glanced backwards to see Mara scurrying up the hill behind the cottage, Jervis in front of her. Luke cursed himself at not noticing the man was escaping or that Mara was pursing him. Luke looked back at his friends trying to subdue Jervis' men.

Wedge pushed him slightly then stepped in front of the Jedi Master as another goon approached. "We got these guys…go help Mara." He called over his shoulder.

Luke squeezed his friends shoulder in appreciation then did just as he suggested, making his way up the small incline, sliding on the quickly forming mud as he went.

After only a few brief moments, the group of friends had the hired thugs under control and Wedge flipped open his comlink to notify Investigator Dobbs. He glanced up at the darkening sky after being assured that Dobbs was on his way. The rain pelted him and he glanced nervously toward the direction Luke and Mara had disappeared to as a zing of lightening lit up the sky. "Should we go help Luke and Mara?"

Talon ran his hand through his drenched hair without taking his gaze off the men laying face first on the ground with their hands on their backs. His blaster was held on them and he wouldn't hesitate to use it. "I think they'll be ok." He replied

Han agreed as he also held his blaster ready but not trained on the beaten men as Talon did. He clamped his hand on Wedge's shoulder. "They need to handle this and besides…the kid has to tell her that they're really married and I don't think they will want us around at that time."

All three men laughed then cringed as the lightening flashed across the sky again. Han frowned, knowing that Luke and Mara would be fine but worried that the storm seemed to be increasing in intensity rapidly.

Mara had taken out after Jervis as soon as she noticed him slinking up the hill, not bothering to tell Luke or anyone else that she was. Now after a few moments of running, Mara was glad that she hadn't. I almost have you now, Jervis, she thought to herself after gaining tremendously on him as the wounded man stumbled.

Mara launched herself toward Jervis as he staggered back to his feet. She twisted her body a bit as she threw herself toward Jervis and let her shoulder impact with his back, knocking them both to the ground.

Mara was back on her feet instantly, her quick motion sending her wet hair whipping around. She reached out and took Jervis by his hair and pulled him to his feet, his wounded hand trying to push her away and only succeeding in causing himself more agony.

Mara caught the flash of metal just as a tremendous bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. She reluctantly released her tight grip on her husband's hair as he brought the blaster closer to her. The Jedi stepped away from him. "Always a coward, aren't you Jervis? You have to stop me with a blaster."

Jervis straightened up as best he could, his wound, courtesy of Talon Karrde, hindering his movement. "You call me a coward? You are the one running from the truth, refusing to fulfill the Emperor's wish that you be my wife."

Mara's gaze narrowed. "I no longer fulfill any wishes of his. He died and so did my servitude." She hissed.

Jervis grinned and stepped forward. "But your servitude to me is just beginning." Jervis suddenly reached out and grabbed Mara's arm, crushing the unsuspecting woman against him.

Mara felt the hot, unfamiliar mouth descended upon hers and she fought the gagging reflex it stirred within her. Without thinking, she brought her knee up and pushed against Jervis. Her eyes darted to the blaster that had slid from Jervis' hand to the ground and just as she started to move towards it, she froze as another bolt of lightning streaked the sky. Mara flinched at the sound afterwards and lifted her arm to protect her head as sparks seemed to fall from the sky around her.

The rain was pummeling down on him and Luke was having a hard time running through the groove of trees, sliding in the mud. He wished to himself that Tatooine had had more rain so he would be as good at running in the mud as Mara and Jervis seemed to be. Another flash of lightning illuminated the sky followed by a deafening clap of thunder as he finally reached the top of the slight hill behind Jervis' hideout and found it much easier to run on the level ground, though dodging branches and rotted stumps did require his full attention.

Luke had barely caught a glimpse of Mara ahead when she disappeared around another grove of trees and Luke hurried behind her, wishing he had the Force to connect with her. Finally, Luke slid around a tree and was relived to see the forested area thinning out. He stopped at the scene in the large clearing before him as his eyes sought out his wife.

Mara and Jervis were circling each other, Jervis with his blaster drawn and Mara having no defense of it. Luke's hand absentmindedly brushed against her saber that was still attached to his belt.

Luke walked steadily closer, glancing around the area and seeing a rock wall on one side and denser tree growth and foliage everywhere else. Luke continued to creep closer to the duo but suddenly stopped as Jervis reached out and grabbed Mara, dropping his blaster in the process.

Jervis pulled Mara close to him and his mouth descended onto hers. Luke flinched and started toward them again just as a lightning bolt seemed to sear through the air between where he stood and where Mara and Jervis stood. Luke looked up at the towering trees as the lightning struck one and sparks sprayed everywhere. The Jedi Master heard the sickening crack and could see the top of the tree teetering…toward Mara and Jervis.

Mara brought her knee up against her assailant when he forced his kiss upon her and was able to wrench free from him as he wheezed in pain. She winced at a roaring clap of thunder then yelped when she felt an arm go around her waist and pull her backwards. Totally unsuspecting, Mara was helpless to resist and she crashed backwards to the ground, a lean body between her and the hard ground. She was immediately released as Luke quickly pushed her under him and covered her with his body.

Mara barely had time to focus on Luke's face before her gaze shifted to the side of him to see the massive treetop hurling down toward them. Mara opened her mouth to scream but it was muffled against Luke's neck as he tucked her in protectively against him. Mara could feel the impact against Luke from where she was and her scream finally worked its way loose as the man protecting her groaned and then went limp.

Mara waited until all sound ceased before gently easing the Jedi Master over onto his back, the movement forcing him back into consciousness. "Luke, are you all right?" She gently pushed his much too long hair out of his eyes and leaned over him so the rain didn't come down on him.

"Think so," He mumbled and took a few deep breaths as the pain in his head began to subside. "Are you hurt?"

Mara shook her head, her long hair brushing against his face as she leaned above him. "I'm fine, thanks to you."

Luke gazed up at her and smiled. "I have missed you so much."

Mara was surprised by his open admission. "Don't make this harder than it is, Luke. Can you move?"

Luke sighed and sat up as Mara moved out of his way. "Just a little sore." He answered. Luke wanted to tell her the news but he knew he had one other responsibility first. "Where is Jervis?"

Mara stood, brushing as much mud from her as she could and held her hand out to the man she loved, her eyes scouring the downed tree with all its branches. "I don't know." She admitted.

Luke didn't even bother to try to clean himself up but instead rubbed the back of his head where he had been struck unconscious and felt Mara moving his hand away as she moved behind him. "You have a large bump, Skywalker, but it's hardly noticeable with all the other's you still have on your head."

Luke chuckled softly, wanting nothing more than to take this woman into his arms and tell her that she was his wife but stopping when he saw the bottom of a boot a few branches over. He looked at Mara. "Stay here."

Without waiting for her reply, Luke cautiously made his way over the parts of the tree toward the boot, stopping when he reached it. Luke took a deep breath as he stared down at the man barely visible underneath a large portion of the tree trunk and branches. Luke quickly knelt to feel for a pulse but knowing the broken branch that had speared Jervis through his heart to the ground meant that he was dead. Luke moved his hand away, the non-existent pulse expected and stared at the man responsible for so much turmoil in his and Mara's life. Even with everything, Luke hoped the man's death had been quick. He carefully reached back toward Jervis and with a quick gesture, closed the dead man's eyelids over his terrified eyes.

Luke stood and looked at Mara who could tell by his expression that Jervis was dead. She slowly shook her head as another clap of thunder roared, not as deafening as the storm moved past them. Mara covered her ears, overcome with sound and all the events of the last few weeks, then turned and fled through the trees, the opposite direction of Jervis' cottage.

Luke quickly maneuvered over the fallen tree and ran after her, calling out her name. "Mara, please don't run."

Mara suddenly stopped running as she exceeded the area affected by the Ysalamiri and the Force slammed into her. She stood with her arms wrapped around herself as she re-accustomed herself to the Force once again. She finally couldn't fight the intense feelings consuming her tired body and she was powerless to stop the shivering that was threatening to overtake her.

Mara sobbed when Luke stopped behind her, also in the Force filled area and his mind already reaching for hers. Luke turned her around and his arms went around the rain soaked woman as their minds joined together and all their emotions were too strong to hide from the other. He pulled her close and held her as tightly as he could. It unnerved Luke to see Mara crying and he wasn't sure what to do. He could feel her overwhelming fear and worry about him being hurt and her exhaustion at fighting her feelings for him.

"Mara, you are my wife. Do you hear me?" He wouldn't let her pull away but held her even tighter and showed her through their bond what he had found.

Mara sobbed even harder and Luke felt her knees buckling. He gently dropped to his knees, bringing her with him. "Yes, love, it's true. Our marriage is real...we are husband and wife."

Mara finally drew back enough to see Luke. "I...are you sure?"

Luke's one arm moved from her waist to brush away the tears that cascaded down her face, mixing with the rain. "I promise." He whispered as his mouth overtook hers and her arms wrapped around his neck.

Luke knew it was neither the time nor the place but he needed to touch Mara, to make her his once again. Their kiss deepened and Luke finally had to pull away, gasping for air.

Mara rubbed the side of his face. "Your father didn't sign the marriage certificate?" She asked, still sorting the images from Luke's mind in between their fervent kisses.

Luke nodded. "You and Jervis were never married. So…" He kissed her again but this time the kiss was soft and full of his boundless love. "…you and I are very much married."

Mara could feel her heart swell with feelings for this man. "I love you, Luke Skywalker." She mumbled against his lips.

Luke drew back to look at her. "And I love you, Mara Jade Skywalker." His mouth brushed against hers, savoring the feel of tender flesh against tender flesh. He carefully grasped Mara's lower lip between his teeth and gave it a gentle tug. He wanted to do the same with her upper luscious lip but Mara's hand snaked around his neck, pulling him closer for a deeper kiss. Luke groaned as their tongues danced around each other, their desire for one another swirling around and between them.

Luke pulled away and Mara chuckled softly. "Why do you keep pulling away?" She whispered.

Luke glanced around at their mud stained clothing and the rain beating down on them. "We can't here…not like this."

Mara's hands framed his face. "We do need to get back. Our friends will be worried."

Luke kissed her gently. "And besides, we will need a long bath to get all this mud off." He blushed at his own comment and Mara hugged him tight, thankful to have this man back as her husband and back in her life.

Luke reached down then extended a long cylinder towards her. "I believe this belongs to you." He said then they both laughed, remembering the time he had returned it after her trial and said the exact same thing

Mara mumbled as she took the saber and looked over it lovingly. "Your father did this for us without even understanding that he was." She hooked the saber to her belt and looked at the grinning Jedi Master.

"He knows now." Luke said softly.

Mara chuckled. "We have a lot to discuss, Jedi."

"Yes, we do but for now, lets get this mess sorted and head home." He held his hand out, palm up as he had done so many times with her in the past.

"Home." Mara whispered, the word giving her a sense of belonging that she had never felt in her entire life. "Yes, let's go home." She slipped her hand into the waiting one and the two Jedi made their way to their feet and back toward Jervis' cottage, both casting a sad glance in the direction that Jervis' body lay but glad that their nightmare was finally over.

Epilogue
Chapter 31
One Year Later

Luke exited the bedroom and maneuvered around all the stacked boxes, trying to make his way to the door where someone was persistently pressing the buzzer. "I'm coming." He called out just as hit foot connected with a partially hidden box at the edge of the sofa. He slid the door open finally. "Yes?"

The messenger droid dutifully held out a large, thick envelope toward the Jedi Master. "This is to be delivered to you, Jedi Master Skywalker."

Luke almost grinned at the formal, electronic voice. "Thank you." He took the package and watched until the short, rolling droid entered the turbolift at the end of the hall. Luke stepped back into the apartment and looked around for his own droid before remembering that he and Threepio were running errands for Leia while she helped Mara. Luke walked toward the mostly cleared counter in the kitchen area with the packet still in his hand. He and Mara had received extra help with their packing earlier in the morning when Han and Leia had showed up. Leia and Mara were doing some last minute shopping for needed items while Han and Luke were packing up the last of the boxes that would be delivered to their new, larger apartment.

Luke sat down at the counter and finally glanced at the brown packet. "Bryce Stanton." Luke read off the name on the front of the pack. Even though Bryce had helped them out during Mara's trial and afterwards, his name still made Luke tense. He tore open the end of the oversized envelope and pulled the stack of papers out. A handwritten note from Bryce was the first thing he noticed.

Hello Luke and Mara. Here are the papers that I told you I would send as soon as I thought it was appropriate. Please contact me as soon as you want the proceedings to start. Bryce

Luke felt the unmistakable knotting of fear growing in his stomach as he realized what this packet was about. He quickly thumbed through a few of the stack, stopping only when the words 'Request for Dissolution of Marriage' caught his eye. Luke was still staring at the words when Han found him.

"Kid, we are done. The last box is marked and ..." Han's voice trailed off as soon as he caught sight of Luke's face. "What's wrong, Luke?"

Luke continued to stare at the paper and Han realized that he hadn't even heard him. Han slid onto the stool on the opposite side of the counter, frowning at the way Luke was clenching his fists. "Luke?" Han laid his hand on Luke's arm and could feel the arm muscles straining.

Luke's head snapped toward Han, his expression and demeanor softening. "Sorry, Han. I didn't see you."

Or hear me, Han added silently. "What's going on, kid? What's got you upset?" He watched Luke try to get his emotions in check. "Don't do that, Luke. Don't put that blank Jedi expression on your face and claim to be fine." Han's voice held a distinctive angry edge to it.

"I'm not doing that." Luke mumbled.

"Like hell you aren't." Han had seen Luke happier and more alive in the last year or so since he had been married to Mara than he had ever seen him before. His brother in law had stopped keeping so much inside and had been a much more vibrant person just as Mara herself had. He didn't want to see that change now. "Luke, tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help."

Luke looked at his friend, and brother for only a few seconds before sliding the one paper that had shattered his world across the counter to him. Han's eyes widened and then slowly rose from the paper to meet Luke's anguished gaze. "Luke." He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "You and Mara are getting divorced?" He looked around at the packed boxes and wondered if they were actually just moving Mara out.

Luke tried to smile as Han's thought came through loud and clear. "No, we're both moving to the new apartment."

Han tossed the paper back onto the stack of them. "Then what's this about?" He had felt sure that the young man across from him and the fiery Mara were doing great with their marriage.

Luke sighed. "It's a long story and..."

Han interrupted him. "And I want to hear it, please." This was too important for Luke to handle by himself. "Tell me why you have divorce papers in front of you." He wasn't going to let up on this.

Luke began straightening the papers to put them back into the carrier envelope. "We had only intended on staying married until the New Republic was off our backs enough so we could get divorced." He spat out.

Han almost grinned. He knew that their marriage had been to save Mara but he also knew that the two of them had cared about each other for a long time before that. "So this was prearranged? The divorce papers?"

Luke nodded. "Bryce sent them to us so he now feels it's safe for us to get divorced."

"The only problem being that you don't want to now." Han challenged him. Luke again looked at the Corellian.

"I didn't want to then." He whispered.

Han shook his head. "She loves you, Luke. You know that so what makes you think that she won't just toss those papers in the trash collector?"

Luke chuckled. "She can have her freedom back, Han. Why would she choose me over that?"

Han stood up with every intention of trying to smack some sense into the sometimes dense Jedi just as the door slide open and their wives arrived, heavy in conversation with each other. Han leaned across the counter and grasped Luke by the upper arm. "She loves you and won't leave you. Don't wallow in this. Talk to her." He gave the other man a little shake to emphasize his point then released him.

Luke hurriedly shoved the envelope into a drawer then followed Han toward their wives. Leia tossed her bags onto the sofa and Mara did the same. Han shook his head. "What did you buy this time?"

Leia hugged and kissed him warmly. "Only things that Luke will need to cook with."

"Leia," Mara scolded. "I cook too, you know."

They all looked at her then burst out laughing. Luke pulled Mara close. "We know you do, love."

Mara gave up her indignant look and tiptoed to kiss the Jedi. "You're just a much better cook than me." Luke hugged her even tighter and Mara could feel his stress, though he was trying to hide it.

*What is it, Luke?* She asked through the Force.

Luke kissed the tip of her nose. "I just missed you." He answered aloud and struggled to withdraw from her through the Force without letting her know he was doing so.

Han watched them closely then squeezed Leia's shoulder. "Princess, how about you and I get out of here for awhile and let Luke and Mara make sure everything is packed."

Leia grinned. "Yes, I'm sure these two need to be alone soon." She rolled her eyes and Han laughed heartily while both Luke and Mara blushed.

Han decided not to tease them further, knowing Luke was tense. He looked down at the bags sprawled around. "Are any of these bags yours, Leia?"

Leia grinned and pushed the control for the door to slide open. "Not a one." Han laughed thankfully and with a quick wave, they left the apartment and the door slid shut behind them.

Luke let go of Mara and began rummaging through the apartment, making sure there were no left over items that they had forgotten. "Seems like we've been packing for weeks." He commented, hoping Mara wouldn't pick up on his mood.

"Yes, it does." She watched Luke, knowing he was hiding something from her. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

Luke stopped moving around and stared at her. "Being Jedi makes it hard to keep things to yourself sometimes." He joked.

Mara shrugged. "Even if we didn't have the Force, I can still read you, Luke. I know when something is bothering you."

Luke walked over to the counter and sat back down, knowing he had to give her the packet but not wanting to. Everything had been perfect between them since he had recovered from the blaster wound Jervis had inflicted on him. They had been a true husband and wife and hadn't held back on their love or affection for each other. He couldn't help but feel worried that it was all about to end. He quickly drew the envelope from the drawer and slapped it down on the end of the counter. "This just arrived."

Mara could feel Luke gently distancing himself further through their bond, something he rarely did anymore. "Luke?" She was more than concerned now.

He pointed to the packet as she approached. "Just look at it." He knew he shouldn't withdraw from her but he didn't want to feel her emotions if she was happy about the papers.

Mara was frowning as she quickly opened the pack and shuffled through the papers. Luke tried not to watch but he looked up when she gasped. "Our divorce papers." Mara understood his mood much better now.

Luke nodded. "Bryce had them delivered by messenger droid a few minutes ago." His eyes wouldn't meet hers, afraid of what he might see.

Mara sighed as she stuffed the papers back in the large envelope. "I'm tired, Luke and think I'll lay down a bit."

Luke was surprised but wasn't about to disagree with her. If Mara wanted to ignore the divorce papers then he was all for doing so. He stood and hugged her close. "Perhaps I'll join you in a bit, after I pick up Artoo from Leia's."

Mara relaxed against her husband. "I would like that." She raised her head and their lips met gently.

Luke watched as Mara walked toward their bedroom, his mind racing with the possibilities of their future with the threat of the divorce papers gnawing at his heart. With a heavy sigh, he turned and left the apartment to pick up the droid who had easily grown used to Mara and needed her, just as Luke did.

Luke Skywalker stood in the doorway of their bedroom and watched Mara while she lay sleeping in the bed. He had just arrived back home from Leia's to find her already asleep. That had been several minutes ago and he had stood in the doorway since then, watching the rise and fall of her chest and how a strand of hair kept sliding down her cheek towards her mouth. Mara would brush it back, her still asleep, and a minute later it would fall back down. Luke smiled at the sight of his beautiful wife and couldn't think of a time that he had been happier. But there was still a small nagging voice in the back of his mind, warning him about the packet that had arrived from Bryce today.

Luke walked over to the bed, slipping his boots off. "But I don't want to end it." He mumbled as he sat down on the edge of the bed then stretched out beside his wife.

Mara immediately opened her eyes and drank in his presence through the Force. "End what?" She asked sleepily.

Luke smiled at the woman who was rubbing sleep from her eyes like a child would, not worried that she had heard him. "I'm sorry that I woke you, love."

Mara sat up in the bed and stretched lazily, the strap of her nightgown slipping off her shoulder. She saw Luke's gaze glance at it then quickly back at her face. A smile lit her face as she exaggerated her stretching, loving the increasing desire that he was making no effort to hide through their bond. When she stopped and looked at Luke, his eyes had already darkened and he was chewing on his lower lip.

"What's the matter, Farmboy?" She scooted closer to him and rested against his legs, her arm over his hips and purposely pressed up against his quickly increasing manhood. He inhaled slightly at her bravery.

"Nothing's the matter, Jade. Nothing at all." He loved being teased by this woman and didn't know what he would do if she ever stopped. That made him think of the packet and his mood and libido immediately cooled.

Mara frowned when she felt Luke's mood shift. "What is it, Luke? What are you thinking about?" She could have easily probed a little harder and found out for herself but they had worked hard at respecting the 'off limits' areas as their Force bond had grown deeper and stronger.

Luke wasn't sure how to bring the subject up and seriously considered just ignoring it a bit longer but the uncertainty was driving him mad. "Mara, we have to talk."

She couldn't help the tiny flicker of worry that raced through her mind at his statement. She had never known those words to mean anything good. She once again resisted the urge to peek and see what he wanted to talk about, already knowing in her heart what it was.

"What is it, Luke?" It still amazed her how easily she could say his name. His name and not the titles that she had always thrown at him. Maybe because I finally admitted that I know him as Luke as well as the Jedi and Farmboy. Maybe because I love Luke more than the rest. Mara loved the warm feeling that spread over her as she thought about loving the man who sat patiently watching her. It felt good to love him. It felt right.

Luke grinned, her thoughts broadcasting loudly through their bond. "I love you just as much, Mara." He shifted slightly. "And that's why we need to talk."

Mara frowned as he repeated that phrase that she hated so much. "What do you want to talk about?" She had an idea, and wondered if they were ready for this step.

Luke took a few seconds before answering. "We both know what is in the packet that Bryce had delivered to us." He said softly.

Mara nodded, her eyes not looking at him directly. "Our divorce papers...ready for our signatures to end this marriage."

Luke couldn't tell much from her tone. It was sarcastic and sad all in one. "What do we do, Mara? What do you want?" He watched her intently, their future depending upon her answer.

Mara still didn't look at Luke though her breath did catch at his questions. She thought this had been decided and didn't understand why he was asking, unless he had changed his mind. She finally looked at him. "Why are you asking me?"

Luke sighed. "I have to know if you want to walk away from this, from us."

Mara snorted. "I told you that I loved you. How could you think I would want to leave you after admitting that?"

Luke's spirit lifted at her answer and he pushed himself up more to be closer to her. "I just needed to hear you say it."

Mara could see and feel the joy radiating from the Jedi Master. She wanted that feeling to always be with him. She caressed the side of his face. "We are married, Luke, and unless you want a divorce then you need to toss that packet."

Luke's joy increased and he pulled her down against the bed and looked down at her from his resting-place on his elbow at her side. "Consider it tossed."

Mara giggled as her Farmboy began nuzzling her neck. "Luke....we're not done talking." She playfully pushed his head back from hers and laughed at his pouty expression.

"Talking isn't what I'm thinking about right now." He grinned at his own boldness and tried to return to his nuzzling but Mara pushed him away.

"I'm glad we're getting the bigger apartment, Luke." She blurted out.

Luke didn't seem surprised. "Yes, especially now that we're in this thing for the long run, a bigger apartment will be nice." He caught her fingers in his mouth that were trying to hold his head away from her. Mara almost forgot what she was saying as he skillfully suckled on her finger, exaggerating the motions to show her exactly what he had on his mind.

Mara swallowed hard and fought down the urge to just tell him. "Yes, a bigger apartment is a necessity." Her voice showing that his antics were having the desired effect.

Luke was only half listening to her. He drew another finger in his mouth, letting his tongue swirl over it. "Uh-hu." He mumbled.

Mara shuddered but knew she had to stay focused. "Yes... a bigger apartment will be nice."

"With a bigger bedroom." Luke garbled, her fingers in his mouth greatly hindering his speech but the amusement in his eyes was crystal clear.

Mara could never get enough of the playful Farmboy. "With more than one bedroom." She added.

Luke laughed a little at that. "Planning on making me sleep in it?" He laughed a little more at how incoherent the words sounded but he didn't intend on stopping his ministrations.

Mara swallowed hard. "No, I thought the baby would." She whispered and watched as Luke went completely still.

Mara gently pulled her fingers from his drooping mouth and waited for his reaction. His eyes met hers and there were so many emotions reflecting in them that Mara knew his head must feel like it was spinning. At first his eyes were demanding, angry that she would toy with his emotions like this. "What did you say?" His voice was shaky and low.

Mara gently rubbed his cheek again. "I said that I thought our baby would sleep in the other bedroom."

Then his eyes were disbelieving. "Our baby?"

Mara loved his uncontrolled, blubbering reaction. She had worried for the past two days over how to tell him. And before that she had worried about doing this without telling him. "Yes, our baby. The one that you and I created and is living inside me right now."

A smile slowly started to creep across his face. "We're having a baby." His dream was finally coming true. Mara laughed as Luke jumped to his feet then pulled her up from the bed to hug her tightly.

She held on tightly as Luke hugged and kissed her over and over. Mara was sure every Force sensitive person on the planet could feel the Jedi Master's feelings right now. He suddenly stopped to look at his wife.

"Are you doing ok? Why didn't you tell me that you wanted to get pregnant?" Then the thought that maybe she hadn't wanted to dawned on him.

Mara slapped his face lightly. "I wanted to surprise you, Luke. This was no accident." Again, she loved the incredible smile that showed on his face.

"This...this is the most exquisite surprise I have ever gotten." Mara felt her heart lurch when she saw the tears forming in his eyes.

"Luke, I have always known that your greatest dream was to have a family. I...I am more than happy to give that to you just as you have given them to me."

Luke made no move to wipe the tears that had started to trickle down his cheek but he was surprised when Mara's joined his own. "I love you, Mara."

Mara pulled him close, intending to never let go. "And I love you, Luke." Those words were so easy for her to say now and she suspected with the little Skywalker on the way, they would take on a whole new meaning.

For the longest time, the two Jedi only stood in each other's embrace, relishing in the love flowing between them and the new life that was barely a flicker but already meant everything to them both. They had traveled a long road to get where they were and if the future had been anything like their past, a long road still laid ahead of them.

THE END

This last chapter is actually intended as the first chapter of part four that I might write. So if you enjoyed the fic and would like me to write more, please let me know. And thanks for reading this monstrocity of a fic.
Sherry