Title: Shades of Grey
Author: Darkmoon90
Disclaimer: Nothing except the plot and a few OCs belong to me. Everything else including the actual characters, the planets, the ships, the food… (you get the idea) belong to either George Lucas or the numerous professional SW authors.
Summary: Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker find themselves trapped within a political scheme that originates back to the Old Republic. The 'game' soon turns deadly as the two Jedi find connections and threads to the Jedi Order's past and their own destinies. Post VOTF and Union, it begins about two years after Union. Currently toying with an AU twist. . . Reposted several times so that scene breaks show...
Huggies
Posted: October 2005
Darkmoon90 xXx
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Shades of Grey
Chapter 1- A Delayed Reunion
The inky-darkness hung above Coruscant like a dark cloud, but on the New Republic capital it was never entirely dark as stars and speeder lights shone, trying to outdo each other. Soft beams of light emitted from the seemingly never-ending lines of ships in the space lanes and from the numerous skyscrapers competing for dominance on the skyline created a permanent haze of light pollution that swirled within the dark sky. On the other hand, it reassured the residents of Coruscant, as if the light itself was symbol that represented the hope and prosperity of the New Republic and that like the light, it would never be entirely diminished by darkness. Combined with the glory of dusk, it offered a beautiful panorama to those who could afford to spare a moment to forget the weight of their burdens.
The spectacle of lights in all possible colours and the glittering advertisements of restaurants, shops and casinos were overwhelming and even if you lived on Coruscant for all your life, and never slept or ate, it was unlikely you would ever see everything the galactic capital had to offer. However at approximately 2300 hours local time, the majority of Coruscant's inhabitants were asleep; although some more anxiously and fitfully than others. The growth of the New Republic had given many a better standard of living, but poverty still remained within the lower levels of the world. Many still struggled to support their families on a fraction of what the upper classes would merely call 'change'.
Luke Skywalker pondered this as he gazed out onto the city from his apartment. As a youngster, he hadn't grown up with luxury but not even the hardest times on the farm were as appalling as what some beings endured daily. One of his students, Kazia Thalmers, had lived in Coruscant's lower levels but he had her rescued from a group of thugs wanting to capture and exploit her. After a brief period in the medcenter, Kazia was offered a place in one of Coruscant's many orphanages but Luke had sensed Force sensitivity within her and so had offered her a place at the Academy instead. Kazia had accepted, despite her shock, and five years later, Kazia was a content fifteen year-old who was also showing deep potential as a Jedi Knight. He always looked out for her; not out of favouritism, but concern and admiration only and Kazia respected him deeply in return.
A forlorn sounding beep broke him from his musings and Luke turned to glance at his astromech droid with slight irritation that he did not really feel. This particular astromech just offered an abundance of pessimism whatever the situation, with only a few rare exceptions. Over the years Luke had learnt to decipher the numerous whistles that Artoo emitted to communicate with his master; but on this occasion this ability was not required.
"She'll be here in a few hours Artoo, nothing's wrong," he replied to his droid's twittered question. Artoo beeped in response and retreated to the central computer interface, leaving the Jedi Master alone to ponder his thoughts.
Glancing back out at the unidentifiable pinpoints of light, Luke let a smile blossom upon his face. In only a few hours his wife, Mara, would arrive, and their gruelling two month separation would finally be over. Despite having been married for just over two years, Luke had probably spent just as little time with his wife as he had before their union. His responsibilities at the Jedi Academy, and her need to separate herself from Talon Karrde's organisation without it falling into chaos meant their paths were lately taking them to the opposite ends of the galaxy.
Yet when the Force brought them together again, if only for too short intervals, the moments of shared happiness helped sustain their relationship through their renewed affection for each other. This painful period would soon be coming to an end, as they would be both permanently teaching at the Academy or travelling with older apprentices in a year or so. On the other hand, at moments like this, a year seemed like an eternity.
This particular reunion was unlike the others as there were no coincidental scheduling similarities, or political entanglements that required the attention of both of the Skywalkers. Instead with Karrde insisting that Mara took some leave to spend with her husband, and Kam and Tionne threatening to drag him to Coruscant personally; Luke and Mara had succumbed to the proposed ''vacation' with little argument.
With the exception of only a couple of business meetings for Mara, husband and wife finally had several weeks together, hopefully without the galaxy crumbling into oblivion in their absence. He longed to simply hold her close and tell her he loved her a thousand times over. That alone would be enough, to sense her nearby and for her to know he loved her. Of course Mara already knew the latter, and he knew that she loved him in return, but still doubts would creep into his mind; what if he wasn't good enough for her; what if she didn't want to remain with him? With his miserable record concerning romances, it was hardly surprising. He wondered if Mara felt the same deep down, as he knew despite her confident and sometimes abrasive reactions around others, that she sometimes wanted to run away from the galaxy. Everything was stripped away for both of them when they were alone together; Jedi masks and Trader faces could not conceal their true emotions from the other.
Her presence had always been electrifying to him; as if he had always known unconsciously that something special connected them and that their destinies were entwined. As he had come to know Mara on a deeper level over the years, and overcome the layers around her soul, the more he had become fascinated with the kind of person she was.
Refreshing. It was an adjective he had always associated with Mara, despite their rather delicate first direct meeting. She didn't see some sort of god-like Jedi Master, and had treated him as the man and the wet-behind-the-ears farmboy who had lingered in his soul. They complemented each other so well it was almost as if they were to halves of one being. While Mara kept him grounded, he had shown her the compassion that overflowed from his heart and taught her how to care.
Luke blinked lazily, the icy blue of his eyes dark and cloudy with fatigue. He glanced at the chrono once more and sighed as he realised Mara was still not due to arrive for another couple of hours. Stifling a yawn, Luke pulled the bantha-wool blanket closer around his shoulders before sliding gracefully onto the floor from the windowsill. Brushing a hand over his face and suppressing a yawn that wanted to escape from his lips, Luke stumbled over to the couch where he took off the comlink on his belt and balanced it precariously on the armrest before dropping his lightsaber carefully onto the floor. He had absolutely no intention to spear himself like a nerf-steak upon the beautiful, yet deadly, emerald blade. Curling up, Luke snuggled deeper into the couch and blanket like the child with eager blue eyes that dreamt of flying amongst the stars he once was; fond memories of a blanket similar to the one he was cuddling into now drifting lazily through his mind.
"Just a few minutes..." he mumbled to himself as he settled into a comfortable position. Luke closed his eyes and was deeply asleep mere moments later. However five, then thirty, then sixty minutes passed and yet the Jedi Master did not stir from his 'nap'.
Artoo Detoo rolled back into the living room of the Skywalker apartment, beeping softly to himself as he saw his Master asleep on the couch, curled up like a young child. The droid continued to the side of the couch before settling in to watch over his Master until Mistress Mara returned home. However Artoo accidentally bumped into the couch, dislodging the precariously balanced comlink which fell to the floor with an almost inaudible thud. Fortunately the Jedi Master only moaned softly in his sleep before turning onto his other side.
Artoo heightened his sensors for a moment, before dismissing the noise as an error or interference and rolled away to computer interface in the corner of the spacious lounge. He really did need another upgrade as C-3PO had been repeatedly telling him during his last visit to the Solo household with his Master a few months ago. Hopefully the protocol droid wouldn't be at the Solos' home when his Master visited his niece and nephews tomorrow. . .
Ignored on the floor, the now broken comlink lay unresponsive as the call the Jedi Master had been waiting hours for finally came...
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Not many things could anger a Jedi Master. Unfortunately, she wasn't a Master yet, and had never had much resistance when it came to anger. Indeed many things could get her angry.
Including a simple communications device.
Mara Jade Skywalker fumed as the same luminous message scrolled across her com-screen for the umpteenth time. "I'll give you 'the link can not be established'," she murmured darkly as she glared out into the Coruscant space lanes. However it wasn't long before her husband's patient lessons rebuked her; as if Luke had become her subconscious. In a way he probably had, much to her annoyance and comfort. Gritting her teeth, Mara exhaled a long breath, as she let her anger fade into the comforting embrace of the Force. Finally feeling that she could confront the supposedly infallible communication system once more, Mara turned her gaze back to the com-screen.
Of course something had to go wrong. Many would say that it was just mere bad luck but Mara had learnt years ago that there was no such thing as luck. There was only the Force. Instead, Mara knew that it had originate from her beloved husband. Trouble and Luke Skywalker were never far apart, and marrying the Jedi Master had seemingly brought her closer to the fray.
Luke... she thought forlornly. She missed him so, so much. It seemed like an eternity had passed since she had last seen him as she dropped him off at the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. Of course she had spoken to and seen him since on the Holo Net, yet it wasn't the same as actually embracing him and sensing the Force swirling vibrantly around him. Luke Skywalker had been raised as an obscure farmboy but he had a presence that no one- Force sensitive or not- could ignore. The Force was truly with the Jedi Master, tightly entwined with the fibres of his soul. And she would have it no other way; Luke Skywalker was as much part of the Force as the Force was a part of Luke Skywalker.
Only thirty minutes more at the most, and then she could kiss him breathless once again and see his eyes glitter with affection for her. Those same eyes could still convey the fascination of a little boy and a sea of love for those he cared about. And, Mara smirked, the sparks of desire reserved for her only, that were always the signal for a very special evening.
Resisting the urge to drum her fingers against the dashboard of the Sabre in irritation, Mara pressed the button for the direct link to the apartment, knowing all too well that Luke might not even be there. Her doubts were almost immediately cast away when her ears were attacked with a concert of incessant beeping, and she forgot entirely about the still open com-link channel and the spectral whisper of static.
"Artoo where's Luke?" she cut in, too tired and frustrated to decipher the stubborn droid's message. A unusually soft beep was Artoo's answer as the droid turned his dome towards the lounge. Probably sprawled out asleep on the couch like a blanket, she groaned. "Well?" she managed between gritted teeth. Luke would probably give her a serious lecture about self-control if she verbally assaulted his droid. Mara and Artoo had never gotten along well, which probably had something to with their first encounter and the little detour through the Myrkr forest. The blaster held to his master's head probably had something to do with it too. Despite now marrying his master, Artoo still harboured doubts and perhaps mere jealously towards her. At this time in the morning she would willingly sell him to a Jawa with little regret.
"He's actually waiting for you down near the docking bays," a new voice Mara recognised instantly drawled. "He also dragged himself from a very comfortable couch to stand in a very cold corridor, just for his darling wife." Mara could vividly picture the grin plastered across Luke Skywalker's face although she was still several hundred metres above him.
"How nice of him," Mara replied with a false air of sweetness and she could hear Luke laughing in the background. "I'm sure he'll also carry up all my bags up to the apartment, and then possibly carry me up too... "
"Mara I just woke up again twenty minutes ago, give me a break," Luke mumbled sleepily. "Beside aren't you glad I managed to fix my comlink, or would you have preferred to carry all your stuff up yourself?"
"Okay, okay, I'll be down soon sweetheart and I'll carry my stuff if the poor weak Jedi Master and head of the Jedi Order can't do manage it."
"I think the Master could just about manage that," Luke responded, evidentially never missing a beat in their latest play despite the fatigue Mara could hear slipping into his voice. Far below she could sense his presence, a faint but vivid spark of light within the Force but even at this distance she could tell that he was tired. Yet, his unique signature still sang strong with an ever shifting kaleidoscope of emotions.
Barely repressing laughter, Mara glanced at her comm-board and noticed a pending signal from Coruscant's Flight Control. "Listen, I need to argue with Flight Control for a few minutes to get clearance for the restricted docking bays. I'll meet you down there, darling."
"Wouldn't miss it for the galaxy," Luke replied and even the by now forgotten Artoo beeped his assent. "May the Force be with you. I love you."
"I love you too." Mara said as she stretched out to brush her husband's presence momentarily, only to grin when she sensed him reaching for her first. Embracing his bristling presence firmly, Mara gently released the contact as she prepared for a hopefully brief encounter with Coruscant Flight Control. Otherwise. . . Dark Side be damned she would not be held responsible for her actions or words. . .
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Continued in Chapter 2: In Dreams
(Which is actually here now!)