The Will of the Force

by jedimastertallyn

Sometimes strange things happen and Destiny reach out and grabs you then sets on the path. Mara Jade encounters Luke on Tatooine 2 years before ANH at sixteen and Luke 17 is she ready for what her future now holds for her? Is Luke? Join them on their journey down the path destiny and the force has set before them, Highly recommend you read the first chapter A/N more explained there

1. Chapter 1

The Will of The Force

"Two together is always stronger than one"

Disclaimer: Duh I don't own Star Wars or any of its characters I am making no money from this and I am not even going to take credit for the plot since I am certain that by this point If someone hasn't already done this well they should have.

A/N: The first and most likely only authors note for this story (since I would wager most people just skip them) but as the summary stated you SHOULD read this one before starting the story. 1st I apologize for the grammar I will do my best to be precise but I miss things so does auto correct and auto correct does not how to spell a lot of these names of people and places yet (that will change) 2nd since I am going back to before ANH everything of cannon from the beginning of this story on can be disregarded some of it will be incorporated most will not. This is a Luke and Mara story from the onset those two will not be paired with anyone else in anyway but friendship from this point forward. The characters may seem OOC well I am not Zahn or Lucas though I have great respect for both gentlemen. Callista will NOT appear in this story as anything more than a force ghost but that is WAY off. Also one of my favorite EU characters other than Mara is Snips I really like her and thought she matured Anakin in the Cartoon Series. Finally to parents TAKE THE RATING OF THIS STORY SERIOUSLY. This is the a story about a war fought against overwhelming odds I have been a Star Wars Fan since I saw Empire during its first release in theaters (yes I am old lol) I have studied both Jedi and Sith dogma. While they are nearly polar opposites there are similarities. Finally there will be mature scenes here between lovers however I intend to use the fade to black method I don't believe a sex scene adds to a story nor does it take away. I simply can't write them and take it seriously it always ends up reading badly. Lastly there won't be a lot of character introduction this story operates under the assumption that you are familiar with the backstory of the characters to this point. Ok I have gone on long enough Time to enjoy the story which I hope you do, also don't forget to favorite, follow, or review. (Or all three)

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time naturally they became heroes."

She was in trouble and she knew it, the three rough looking ones were not the real problem it was the sleemo leading them that had her most concerned. She knew the type quick, deadly and used to getting what he wanted. She called on her training to suppress the shudder that wanted to flow down her back it was obvious from his leer what he wanted. All she needed was a split second distraction something, anything, 'force help me she almost pleaded'

"HEY!"

She didn't recognize the voice but unlike those that had surrounded her she did not look away or hesitate sleemo went down first and he would never rise again the vibro knife protruding from his throat ensured that; tough number one on her right dropped second, as she continued the action of throwing her knife bringing her hand full force into his throat. He coughed once and dropped to his knees in a few minutes the crush airway would kill him. Lifting her foot she enhanced her speed and power with the force and brought her foot along the side of tough number two's head at the temple he made a strangled noise and the light left his eyes he was dead before he hit the ground. She continued to rotate bringing her left hand up to block the blow from number three even as her right drew the blaster from under her cloak. But he was already on the ground; standing over him with a bloody lip holding what appeared to be a piece of pipe, which he quickly dropped, was the unlikeliest of rescuers. He looked to be about her age, sandy blonde hair, his skin was the tanned leather of this planet even though he was still young living in a harsh environment like Tatooine did not do you any favors, other than toughen up your skin giving you a rougher harder look. Despite all that there was a softness to him that called to her it took every ounce of her training to keep her focused and not reach out to touch this young man, the danger of the previous encounter still fresh in her mind.

"Wow awesome moves, Are you ok?"

"I am fine, these scums couldn't lay a finger on me, and I didn't need your help."

"You sure took advantage of the distraction I caused though." He smirked in a way that caused her sixteen year old heart to flutter until she squashed it "My name is Luke Skywalker, what's yours?"

Before she realized what she was saying or doing she stepped to him and offered him her hand and said, "Mara Jade, and your right thanks." He shook he offered hand and watched as she reached down to retrieve her knife. He was puzzling over the electric feeling in his hand where they had touched the tingle still there, for some reason, though he knew not why, he HAD to know more about this girl before she disappeared forever. The galaxy was a big place, who knew if he would ever find her again. And yet at the same time that same voice that told him to learn more about her told him their paths would cross again.

For Mara this was entirely different she knew a little about what had happened, reaching down for her knife was a distraction to give herself a moment to gather her thought and plan her next step. For some reason when their hands touch she felt the force resonate between them, she now felt a connection with Luke and wanted to know why. Though she did not understand fully why, she knew this Luke was no danger to her, not that he wasn't dangerous, for he was there was something a little too innocent in the way he moved and talked, like hidden or undiscovered power waiting for its moment. At the same time it was comforting in a way she had never known. It completely rattled her and she needed a moment. She also knew she had to learn more about him. She sensed it in the force, her destiny ad his were intertwined in some way. She was not sure how she felt about that and before she could fully make a decision. He looked and made a follow me motion with his hand and said "Come, we need to be scarce for a while, someone will have seen this."

"Why not just wait for the authorities?" she said knowing full well that she needed to avoid them and most likely the "authorities" here in Mos Eisley were either in on this guy's take or would simply ask her for a bribe to keep quiet about this, but she wanted to know what his reasons were.

Luke stopped turned and stared at her with a discerning look for a moment before he rubbed the back of his neck, "Well that just confirms it," he sighed "Look I know you're an off worlder but I also know your know not a complete wermo," he continued gesturing at their handy work, "you don't get that good if you're foolish. I saw you walking into town from the east that makes you an off worlder looking to not draw attention to yourself by landing at the port or a fool. Because only an off worlder trying to not be noticed or a fool would walk into town from the waste; half of Mos Eisley probably saw you; that is probably what made these guys think you were an easy mark. Obviously they underestimated you. That and the fact that the 'authorities' are not much better than these sleemos."

Mara could have kicked herself for making such a rookie mistake she wondered why none of her reports had mentioned this; then realized the reason. It was something the locals kept to themselves to easily identify strangers. Local fools were well known, so since she was not recognizable walking into town, even dressed as a local as she was, identified her easily as an off worlder, up to no good, attracting all kinds of attention. Luke was right she had probably been followed from the moment she stepped into town and needed to leave and approach a different more subtle way another day after the interest died away. "Fine what's your idea?"

"I'll give you a ride on my uncle's speeder bike to your ship, you'll let me look around a moment I won't touch anything then, unless you need anything else, or more help. I'll leave you to your business after giving you a ride back later, when they stop caring who offed Droga. Not that they will care much anyway."

"Droga?"

Luke indicated the sleemo Mara had killed first, "Edwin Droga, real piece of work, even for a slim pit like Tatooine."

She had agreed to go with him for the purpose of learning more and so began following him as he made his way thru the town, as they did she began watching him that false innocence was back he moved with the stealth and precision of someone used to trying not to be noticed, and was succeeding on a level it had taken her years to obtain. He moved thru back alleys crossed busy streets when some commotion was happening or some large speeder or creature was moving by appearing as though he belong there rolling with the other dregs. Sometimes he moved with a quiet confidence that seemed to warn others away without ever meeting their eyes. Other times his movements were more subdued, his shoulders slumped, his head lowered and he watched his feet. The thing that infuriated her was he did this without thought. The simple act of crossing the street could cause him to change his persona. All the while she could not forget his eyes she had been captivated by them from the moment she met them. They were the coldest blue she have ever seen like ice, yet at the same time there was a guiless softness to them that drew you in. She felt safe in his gaze. And that one fact scared her more than anything.

They made good time thru the city, it barely taking five minutes to make it to his speeder bike, which appeared to be, like the rest of this force forsaken planet, a remnant of a long forgotten era. "I know its ancient, he laughed as if sensing her thoughts, but it's in good shape my uncle has had it since before the clone wars." He added with a smirk. "I think one of his ancestors brought it with them when they originally settled the dust ball."

Despite herself she laughed at the absurdity of that statement the action made her stop as if stung she never laughed. But with Luke she found her guard slipping so easily. Yet another reason to be rid of the boy as fast as possible, so she simple smiled nodded and climbed on the bike behind him. They raced out of town barely drawing any attention apparently he was right. Show up or leave on a transport of some kind no one notices do it on foot and everyone sees you. This mission was teaching her so much so far none of her missions had taken her off Coruscant, she was learning from this farm boy things that would serve to help her blend in on all her future missions, even though he didn't realize it she was learning from him things her many trainers never taught her. Things like there are local customs and superstitions that never make it into an intelligence report. There are things locals keep to themselves. She would have to make sure to be more observant in the future. To learn local ways of blending in there truly was no universal way to do so, which made her realize if they were on Coruscant he would be following her and he would be the one sticking out like a Hutt in the Imperial Court. His natural way of blending in was because he had lived here all his life.

(Line Break)

The speeder stopped suddenly, and powered off. Luke tipped his head to one side then looked left then right. She barely noticed that he was frowning, "Somethings…."

"What are you doing, why have we…?"

"Quiet" he barked.

Mara's back immediately rankled no two bit farm boy was going to bark orders at her like some lowly cadet. "Now, listen up farm…"

"I said be quiet" He barked even harsher, there was more she could feel it he had unconsciously tapped into the force and used that to reinforce his order. There was more which was the only reason she did not complete her mission then and there, for he was the reason she was here to investigate a disturbance in the force her master had felt. He was scared, it radiated off him like a living thing, it reached out and caused her angry retort to die in her throat. Her hand eased toward her blaster as she scanned the country side Tusken Raiders rarely ventured this close to settlement, but there was the occasionally raiding party that did.

As suddenly as they had stopped Luke powered up and gunned the motor on the bike, she had to hang with all she had least she be blown off the bike and left in the dust. Then she noticed he had turned away from her ship and was headed to the south and was moving as if Vader himself was chasing him. "What is it why are you going this way?"

But he didn't answer he couldn't answer he had instinctively buried himself in the force was driving for their lives she could feel the urgency rolling off him in waves. Faster faster, gotta make it, go, go

And then she sensed it, the hairs on the back of her neck stood, slowly her head turned to look behind them, as she tuned she began to hear it. A wall of wind and sand as tall as any building, so long she could not see an ending, loomed behind them the bike was now moving well over two hundred kliks, but that seemed not to matter. The biggest sandstorm Mara had ever seen was gaining on them "Luke…" if she hadn't been terrified she would have been extremely angry with herself for the pure terror that caused her voice to waiver like a small child after a nightmare. Mara had only seen pictures of the sand storms on data pads, and read their descriptions. She recalled one as she stared in horror at the storm that threatened to swallow them.

The Tatooine sand storms are unique in the universe they are Gigantic covering several hundred kilometers. Never be caught outside in a sand storm on this planet for in less than a minutes they can strip the flesh from your bones and all that would remain of you would ever be found of you was a sun bleached skeleton. Only a Bantha or a Tusken can survive the fury of a Tatooine sand storm. Though no one has been able to discern how this is.

Those descriptions had made her wary of these storms now here having one try and devour her, she realized the descriptions had done these storms no justice it was as if the desert itself had come alive and demanded her death. "LUKE …."

"I KNOW, WERE ALMOST THERE!" he yelled over the roar of the bike and the storm.

"ALMOST WHERE YOU CRAZY IDIOT!"

"THERE!" he said as he pointed the bike at a group of huge rocks ahead of them but slightly to the right he pushed the motor harder, she could hear the turbine screaming even over the storm that raged behind her. She dared not look back again but soon regretted looking up to see how close the rocks were. Close, too close in fact "LUUUUUUUKKKEEEEE!" She screeched as he darted into the rocks made an impossible turn into a cave jumped off the bike and drug her by the arm off it running full tilt for a door to the right He opened the door shoved her inside and slammed it just closed behind them, just as the storm slammed into the cave.

They stood panting staring at each other as the storm raged outside. Neither quite believing that they had made it, that they were still alive, suddenly Luke began to chuckle.

"What?" She asked with a slight edge to her voice.

"Sorry I didn't quite catch that someone was just screeched in my ear like a scared Jawa a minute ago I may need a few minutes for my hearing to return." Luke said between laughs.

Mara's eyes darkened and she took a threatening step toward him, "That is probably because the stupa driving the speeder bike I was on is a maniac. You have the audacity to call that driving?"

"No I call it fleeing for my life; if I had not had to concentrate so hard on getting us here I probably would have been screaming just as loud." He had stopped laughing but had also admitted he was perhaps even more scared than she was and it bothered her that she knew why she was not as scared. At no time did she doubt him, not really, the approach to the rocks had scared her because what he was doing defied logic; and physics for that matter; she was still not certain how that they made it into this cave in one piece, but somehow she had known that he would save them.

He moved over to a bench and sat down laying his head back seemingly tired, "Well Mara Jade life with you is without a doubt is never boring but you might as well settle down we are going to be hear a while."

"How long is a while?"

"About a week"

"WHAT?"

"We have been waiting for that storm to pop up for about a month, this year it is late; it has never been this late in the year that I can remember"

"What's so special about this storm?"

"It's a yearly storm it signals the end of the cold season," here Luke snorted, "cold season, there's a laugh the days are maybe a few degrees colder than during the rest of the year but he nights though," He paused in reflection, "Anyway this is the biggest storm of the year it last over a week eventually it covers the planet entirely for about a day then just as suddenly as it started it stops that's everyone's favorite day of the year." Luke smiled at some memory.

"So.." Mara prompted.

"Oh, Sorry," Luke continued his tale. "That is the only day it rains on Tatooine it rains all day and some of the night, the next day the entire desert is covered in this." Luke dug into his pocket and pulled out something wrapped in a cloth, he gently unwrapped it, and then handed it over for her to see. "I was told they were my grandmother's favorite flower they call it the Desert Rose, until today it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen." Luke's eyes widen and a blush crept onto his cheeks as he realized what he had said.

Mara chuckled, and regarded him she had to admit she was flattered especially when she regarded the red-gold dried and preserved flower that adorned the cloth he handed her. She now remembered this having seen a picture of it. When the flowers covered the desert, from space it appeared that the planet was aflame, for about three hours by then the sweltering heat and greediness for all moisture had dried the flowers to dust, for those three hours though Tatooine was considered one of the most beautiful planets in the galaxy it was something people came to see. Also it was the reason the day was known as. "The Day of Fire." Luke nodded as she handed the flower revently back, something even she could admit held great beauty even in its dried state. Mara leaned back and closed her eyes in frustration. In the excitement of the storm she had forgotten its consequences. Nothing was leaving or landing on this planet for the next week in fact other than the inexplicable Tuskens and their Bantha herds nothing on the planet moved for the next week.

"So what would you like to talk about?"

"Nothing just, sit there quietly and pretend I don't exist."

"That's gonna get boring ya know?"

"Skywalker, I swear."

But he did not relent and she found herself drawn into a conversation with him. She learned of his life here on Tatooine racing his friends despite being two years younger than them, and only able to fly the skyhopper, or the land speeder, or the speeder bike that his uncle owned he always won when he raced. He always won when they had a shooting competition. The strange thing was he was not bragging, in fact it embarrassed him somewhat he seemed to chalk it all up to luck but she knew unconsciously Luke had been using the force the his whole life. She found the whole thing endearing in a strange kind of way. And so the first day in the cave past followed by the second, on the third day as they ate some of the rations stored in the storm shelter, Mara found herself speaking of her own time as a child, despite herself she did not lie despite all her training, she held nothing back. She opened herself completely to Luke. Sometimes he seemed appalled, but not at her rather for her, that he felt some sense of injustice for how she was disciplined for a simple mistake. But when she was speaking he simply listened to what she was saying soaking it all in.

"And so that's why I am stuck on this dust ball with you."

Luke was utterly silent for several moments. She was here to kill him, or at least find out who he was and report it to people who wanted him dead. He could use the force. She remembered his father's name from some of her history lessons. Anakin Skywalker was no freighter pilot. He was a Jedi and a hero. The coincidences were too many, also she had seen a holo of Anakin, Luke looked a lot like him only shorter. And then there was his father's Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi "I wonder… could that be old Ben Kenobi?" as Luke said the words there was a bit of truth to them and Mara, despite the concern he was feeling radiate off her after her last confession, snorted

"That has to be the worst alias in the galaxy, it's possible but weren't you listening I was sent her to kill or find you and bring you back you have been using the force since I met you. You are the disturbance he felt."

Luke stared at her a moment he knew not where the words came from he didn't have a clue how he knew this fact, but that is what it was, a fact, "But, now you can't, you left that part out. You're not going to kill me or turn me in. Don't ask me how I know this but I do." He spoke with a confidence he did not feel.

The two of them did not speak again until the next day.

"Luke," Her voice was soft, wary somehow she was no longer the trained assign now she was a shy teenage girl. Somehow it endeared her to him even more her final shield was down he not only could see her across from him but in a way he could not yet understand he could sense her inside his head, they had somehow joined in a way that he could not fathom or understand. "Luke, I …. I don't know what to do."

Luke held out a hand and for the first time since they came to be in this cave she moved closer to him she leaned against the cave wall beside him and leaned into his side. "I understand, this is scary, I don't trust people the way I trust you I have told you about Fixer and the others. But other than Biggs who left last year I don't really trust any of them. Not with the things I have told you. And I can guess that you have never opened yourself to anyone like this not even him."

And there was the crux of Mara's problem was it felt like she was betraying the one man she had trusted all her life. The one man that had cared for her and given her life a purpose, but always something was missing, just out of reach; she did not even realize she missed it until three days ago when a scrawny farm boy came into her life. "You're right." Mara was many things but she had never been timid. She reached over and caressed his face, then leaned forward and kissed him.

(Line Break)

The next day Mara awoke laying on Luke's shoulder they had spoken the rest of the day and all last night. They had not gone far down this new path but she was aware that it was only a matter of time. And besides even though he knew as little as she did about this kind of togetherness, he was a fabulous kisser, a baser part of her wonder what else he was naturally good at. She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts and hoped Luke was not awake enough to pick up on them. But even if he was he would not act on them he was too good; Owen and Beru had instilled in him a sense of honor that was lacking in the courtiers she was used too.

"The storm is letting up."

Luke's voice gave her a small start she had not sensed him awaken. She cursed herself for slipping around him yet again.

"You're not slipping I was practicing that shielding technique you mentioned yesterday, I have been awake for a while."

"Stay out of my head Farmboy." But there was no malice in her words.

"I'll try but I feel that is going to prove difficult."

"I don't feel him in here anymore, somehow you drove him out" As she said this she tapped the side of her head.

"Or he is just not paying attention to you at this time, if you want to go thru with your plan you'll have to remember to always have your guard up until we can be sure." He frowned, a touch of anger coming into his visage, "we need to have a long talk with my Aunt, Uncle, and Kenobi, I don't like that I have been lied to all my life."

Mara did not speak for a while tracing her hand along his tunic, "you could come with me, you're a good pilot or at least a fast learner I could teach you..." She trailed off the words were hallow. Either, he was not ready to, or it was not yet time for him to leave this planet; she had always been good at listening to the force, she had thought it was just her natural instincts much like Luke did, until she began her force training that is.

"I'll consider your offer, it depends on what we learn from them," he did not need to clarify to whom he was referring. "You could stay, it is very easy to disappear here, if Kenobi is who we think he is; he has been hiding in plain sight here to years and I have used the name Skywalker my whole life surely someone would have made the connection."

But a part of Mara rebelled at that thought she wanted to report to her master one last time she had to tell him the force user was already gone when she arrived, although, now she began thinking about it there was a way… She looked up at Luke and smiled and he returned the smile, he had caught her train of thought. It was a long shot and this meant going against everything she believed in, everything she had trained for. But she knew it was the right choice, despite her misgivings despite her fear. She would live in this moment and cherish it for all the time that it lasted. 'This is ours, no one will ever take it from us' she placed her hand on his heart and kissed him deeply.

(Line Break)

Three days later they stepped out of the cave for the first time and stared around in wonder, the desert was gone in its place was an ocean of red and gold. Luke ducked down and grabbed something before placing it in her hair. "Perfect" he murmured.

Mara snorted "Sentimental sap, what am I gonna do with you Farmboy?" she swatted his arm playfully.

Luke raised his eyebrows at her and gave her a mischievous look "I am sure you could think of something."

Mara laughed, a week ago she had never laughed she rarely smiled and had never felt these kind of feelings before in her life. Now? It was all so strange and moving so fast. 'Destiny is a heady thing when it reaches out and grabs you.' Neither Luke nor Mara were ever sure later in life which of them it was that thought that, but they simply reached to each other and grasp the others hand, watching a new dawn drive the darkness away.

Several hours later they emerged from the cave again all traces of the flowers were gone only the one in Mara's hair remained. She stared around for a few moments taking it all in. "It's so fleeting, here one moment gone the next." The thought worried her and she clutched at her arms, Luke's arms encircled her.

"Ah, but you forget, the memory of it lives on inside you and you will carry it with you always, and it will return next year. Life finds a way."

"That's a little deep for a Farmboy from a backwater planet."

Luke laughed heartily, "That's because that was said to me by my Aunt, and I have never forgotten it. She said it to me years ago when I expressed something similar as only a precocious four year old could."

Mara turned and looked at him that mischievous glint in her eyes again. "The way I remember it from your stories you were trouble, not precocious."

"I'll have you know I was … well... I suppose trouble would best describe me at that age. I'll get the speeder then we can go to your ship and set things in motion." Something on Luke's belt chirped.

Luke frowned down at his belt then sighed, answering the communicator. "It's me I am ok I rode things on in one of the storm shelters east of Mos Eisley."

"Oh thank the force; Luke why didn't you simply run the errand and come home you would have beaten the storm here by hours if you had. What are you hiding? What have you done? Are you in any trouble?" It was Beru and he could never hide anything from her.

Luke was very silent for a moment. Mara shifted uncomfortable and pulled away from him slightly but stayed close enough to offer him support. For him this was different, they were a family, and they had lied to him.

"I know" was the simple response.

"What, what do you mean? What do you know?"

"I know who my father really was Aunt, I suggest you contact Kenobi, I also know why I am so good at speeder races and shooting, a … friend helped me see the truth."

Silence.

"Aunt Beru?"

"We were only trying to protect you Luke, I hope you know that, we planned on telling you in a couple of years its why your Uncle never let you join the academy you know that?" she sounded worried concerned and for the first time in Luke's memory unsure of herself. It tore his heart out.

"I understand, now, at first I was hurt but my friend explained a great many things to about life in the galaxy," Luke smiled "I have no doubt I probably would have made a mess of things If I had known all along." Luke Looked to Mara a moment and made a decision "Aunt Beru we will be there around night fall we have something we need to take care of and also my friend needs to grab some things before we come home."

You could hear the smirk in Beru's voice, "Is she pretty Luke?"

Luke Blushed looked Mara in the eye causing her to blush as well "Very"

There was a long suffering sigh "I'll contact Kenobi, Luke your uncle is not going to like this at all he has been afraid of you learning the truth for a long time just remember your father was a good man before.." Beru trailed off seemingly not able to finish the sentence.

"Before, what we thought he was dead, killed at the end of the Clone Wars, is he alive?"

Beru was silent again.

"Aunt?"

"I am not the best person to tell this story Luke; I was not there for most of it. Come home I will make sure you get your answers, I promise."

Mara was so shocked by Luke's response and the happiness that replaced the sudden and crushing uncertainty that had flooded him with his aunt's slip that her mouth hung open. "Thanks Aunt Beru we will see you in several hours. Signing off." Luke turned off the communicator and placed back on his belt then looked at Mara, who stood there with her mouth open. "What?"

"Just like that? You catch them at hiding more from you and just like that you're all happy, I don't get it."

Luke smiled "Aunt Beru never breaks a promise, Uncle Owen once told me that if Beru makes a promise it's written in stone. So no matter what the others may think about me knowing she will make them answer all my questions."

"You do realize Kenobi is a Jedi?"

"Doesn't matter Vader himself wouldn't cross Aunt Beru after she made a promise."

The image that brought to mind caused Mara to chuckle she shook her hand and joined Luke on the bike. They reached her ship in a little less than an hour. It then took Mara about 20 minutes to gather everything she wanted to take with her, some things she would never see again, some of those were still on Coruscant beyond her reach. But in the end she only took the things she could not live without and enough of those to get buy until she could replace the rest. She typed and made a report to her master promising to give a live report when she arrived. She then programmed the astromech assigned to the ship to take the ship into orbit then detonate the core as it entered hyperspace. It would make it look like the ship was damaged in the sand storm and also spread the debris all over the quadrant perhaps further, there would be nothing to analyze. Her death would be a tragedy to some, but she felt that she would not be mourned long she knew her master and could almost hear his reaction in her head. "Pity, such a waste of talent and potential, what else is have you to report?" It somewhat galled her to know that she would be an afterthought and that the biggest concern he would have over her passing was the time he wasted training her.

They watched the ship rise into the sky and disappear from sight, sometime later a star flashed briefly in the day time sky then was extinguished. Luke and Mara mounted the speeder again and made for the Lars homestead, it was time to get some answers.

(Line Break)

Owen was in a foul mood, first Luke disappears for the day on some errand for Beru, then that thrice damned storm appears out of nowhere worrying him and her sick about his where abouts, then that talk he had with Beru, Luke knew, he knew the truth, well not all of it and if he had any say he would never learn all of it, Luke was too good a lad he did not need to be burdened with that just yet let him be older. The strange thing was Kenobi seemed to agree with him, he wanted Luke to be older as well, and to have some training under his belt before he was told. But Beru was adamant "I have already let slip there is more to tell he knows Anakin is alive" Beru refused to call him by that name, she believed as Padma foolishly did there was still good in him, no Anakin was dead, Vader was all that was left, Owen was not sure that there was ever anything else he remembered to well the brooding dark mood of the jedi when he first met him so long ago. "So Obi-Wan and you, Owen are just going to have to tell him all of it. From Shmi all the way to the day you brought him here. He has met someone, a girl, and I feel that between the two of them they will know if you leave anything out. I get the feeling she is force sensitive also, and there is something else, Luke sounded, different on the com." That got both his and Obi-wans attention.

"Different how?" they both asked.

"It's like for the first time he was at peace like he somehow had gained some insight into his place in the universe. Something happened that week the two of them spent in the desert together, and I don't think Luke will ever be the same again. Add to the fact the he would tell me nothing about her unless I directly asked, and you could tell he didn't want me to, not yet, I think it affected her just as greatly, I doubt anyone that knew her will recognize her."

Obi-wan stroked his beard and leaned back in his chair closing his eyes, Beru's word rang of the truth in the force. "Beru sometimes I wonder if Anakin was the only force sensitive the order missed on Tatooine." He stated as he opened his eyes. "I feel that you are right, we will have to them everything."

"Oh tosh Obi-wan I am no Jedi it's woman's intuition, something your old order could have used a little more of."

"Hear, hear," Owen said, "Denying ones emotions is futile, every being in the galaxy has them what you should have been teaching them was to control their emotions, not be controlled by them, you never heard of a Corellian Jedi going dark did you, they could marry, why did the entire order not adapt to that?"

Obi-wan sighed, it was an old argument between them, Obi-wan, while he did see the glaring errors of the ways of the old order, was reluctant to completely dismiss them, it hurt too much to think of what might have been. "That may be true for Luke, and it was somewhat true for Anakin, although I think hiding his marriage also contributed to his fall, he felt he had no one to turn to, perhaps if I had..." Obi-wan trailed off.

"None of that feeling sorry for yourself, Obi-wan Kenobi, Anakin made his choice he could have trusted you, look deep into your heart. I don't for a minute believe you would have turned them in. We are all dealing with Anakin's choices as best we can. But know this you start trying to teach him that suppress your emotions nonsense and I will feed you to the Sarlacc myself. That boy is every bit his father, he needs to learn how to control his emotions, that way he won't be controlled by them in the future, that is why we would not let you train him at first. We wanted him to know what love felt like, what anger was, how to face his fears without the force. To prepare him so that when he can use that power and has those emotions they don't turn to ash."

To both Own and Beru's surprise Obi-wan nodded. "That is why I and Yoda, if it becomes necessary for him to train Luke, will only be teaching Luke how to use the force how to be guided by it and how to listen to its consul. He will not be learning much if any of the old orders dogma. It will be on Luke and this new girl's shoulders how to form the new Jedi order." That last sentence was as much of a shock to Obi-wan as it was to Owen and Beru, and it showed on all their faces. They sat silently for a moment before Obi-wan spoke. "I am really starting to look forward to meeting this girl Luke met, I have not met anyone this much trouble since Anakin" Owen and Beru shared a look in that one statement Obi-wan looked more alive than he had since he brought Luke to them. Whatever was happening, it had restored some of the life into the old Jedi Master, and it did their hearts good to see him so invigorated.

(Line Break)

As darkness began to settle on the land, Tatoo 1 had already retreated below the landscape and Tatoo 2 was soon to follow Beru Stood outside their home and fretted. Sand people roamed at night, admittedly they had not come this close since; she cut her eyes to the small grave yard nearby by and closed her eyes. 'Mustn't think on that'. Opening her eyes she studied the shape she had been watching grow larger in the distance she could now make out that it was indeed Owens ancient speeder bike and breathed out a relieved breath. Obi-wan and Owen joined her silently and waited.

A few minutes later the speeder bike pulled into the garage, and the adults listened in as the two young people dismounted the bike and exited the garage. "Farmboy, I don't know how you can stand living on this force forsaken dust ball. I've got sand in places I won't even mention. It's going to take me years to get it all out of my hair. And I am never riding that ancient contraption again, they have a perfectly good speeder right there, my butt is so sore I don't think I'll sit for a week!" The adults all shared looks of incredulity the girls voice was playful, so they assumed most of that was in jest, but would reserve judgment until getting to know the girl better. It was Luke's response that caught their attention he simply laughed and said "as you wish." Luke was usually one to quickly defend the speeder bike, in fact Luke was the biggest reason Owen still had the thing, Owen never rode it anymore, but Luke had loved it from the moment he laid eyes on it. He always said he felt some connection to the bike. The young couple came out of the garage and Luke approached Beru and gave her a hug, then stepped back and let her inspect him.

"All parts intact and accounted for Aunt Beru, as you can see I am ok."

Beru smiled and did indeed give Luke a good once over then smiled in thanks as he indulged her worry. "Thank the force your home safe." She said as she pulled him into another hug.

She then turned to the red head standing a short distance away watching the scene with a strange look on her face as though seeing this kind of thing for the first time. "So who is you mysterious friend Luke?"

"Aunt Beru, Uncle Owen, Ben meet Mara Jade, she has quickly become my best friend."

"Only that Luke?"

"Perhaps, time will tell," Luke looked back over to Mara and smiled, "We certainly hope and believe that there is more there, otherwise…." Luke trailed off and seemed to be asking Mara permission for something, which was odd, both Owen and Obi-wan shared a meaningful look. Before he had met the girl Beru could easily get the entire story from Luke with a look, now Luke was ignoring that look and waiting on Mara's ok to continue his thought. Mara considered those before her she knew Luke would vouch for her, would explain everything. But what she had done, she was still coming to grips with herself. It was a spur of the moment decision one which she knew she would never regret. But was she ready to share it yet, well they did want these people to open up with their secrets with her and Luke perhaps they should get the ball rolling by sharing first. That felt right, so she picked off where Luke left off, causing him to smile brightly, "otherwise, I am going to have to explain how I was not on my ship when it blew up entering hyperspace earlier today to my employer. That could get very difficult. Face it Skywalker you're stuck with me for good."

The three adults shared a concerned look. Obi-wan decided to be the spokesperson on this question, the answer was not what any of them expected though Luke's lack of surprise and the fact that he took her hand as she began speaking said that he already knew all of this. "And who would that be Miss?"

"The Emperor was my master and had me trained as one of his force adept assigns I was sent here to investigate a tremor he felt in the force, Luke and I found each other. Now I can never return to him and I could never betray Luke like that, something happened, while we were in that cave together riding out that storm. All I know is that I can never return to the life I knew. Every time I contemplate it, it feels wrong and the force nudges me away from that thought," she turned to Luke "When I think about staying with Luke, I get a sense of peace I have never known."

"Let me get this straight, you are, or were rather, a personally trained assassin to Palpatine, who sent you here to investigate what turned out to be Luke, somehow the two of you ran across each other and now your defecting?" Owen asked irritably

"Basically."

Owen stared at her for a full minute in silence, then turned to Luke, "If I didn't already know who your father and mother were I would need no further proof that you are every bit their child. You're even crazier than he was and have a bigger heart then she did, come along Mara, it still gets chilly here at night for a few more days."

"Chilly?" Mara groused

"Not all of us are as thick blooded as you spacers" Owen groused back.

Luke blinked, "I think that is the first time I have ever heard you tell a joke uncle."

"You just weren't listening you usually had your head in the clouds."

Everyone shared a chuckle as they made their way inside, dinner was a casual affair Mara's life was touched on but most of the details were left blank, she shared mostly generalities, and did not elaborate much, the adults got the feeling only Luke would ever know the whole story. The teenagers told of riding out the storm in a shelter cave, and reluctantly told the tale of how they met and the fate of the thugs that had targeted Mara. Rather than looking upset the adults nodded in approval. Owen best summed up the feeling of the table, "He needed killing, don't you lose no sleep over him girl, That Droga was a bad one, even for Tatooine, it was a long time coming if you ask me after what he did to the Tarch's daughter. Girl was barely into her teens when he got a hold of her. Of course nobody could ever prove anything, but Droga wasn't known for keeping his mouth shut." Obi-wan sensing both Luke and Mara's discomfort with the subject and the questions about it answered to his satisfaction changed the subject; he would address their ruthlessness at a later time when the wounds were not quite so fresh.

"Did you ever construct a Lightsaber?" He asked

"No but I was given one, I don't have it anymore I left it on my ship, it was given to me by him, I don't want anything to remind me of that time or make me second guess myself." She looked to Luke, "plus it felt right to leave it behind it felt," she paused looking for the right word "tainted, wrong, it never felt that way before, but when I went to place it back on my belt after changing my clothes on my ship it just didn't feel right anymore."

Obi-wan nodded sagely as though that made a lot of sense to him. "a Lightsaber is an extinction of its creator a jedi and his weapon are intimately connected, I am not surprised the one he gave you no longer suited you just by hearing you speak I can tell you are a different person. Than the one that walked into that alley a week ago. The force works in many mysterious and wondrous ways." He turned to Beru and Owen, "I believe it is our turn to tell stories, yes?"

Beru got up and busied herself with making tea for everyone while Obi-wan began, "I am not sure where to begin Luke so I will start with your mother, her name was Padma Amidala Skywalker, she was at the time I met her the elected queen of the planet Naboo and later its Senator, She loved your father deeply and married him in secret, unfortunately she died the day you and your sister were born."

"Sister!" Luke interrupted in alarm he and Mara shared a frightened and disturbed look at one another, Obi-wan's chuckle brought their attention back to him.

"No, Luke I can honestly say your sister is not Ms. Jade in fact she is not even in this quadrant of space, though I must ask that you not ask about her, until you are better trained and are confidant with your shields that they are a second nature to you, like they are for Mara, it is best that you not know her identity to protect her. She does not know of you and I promise I will not share this with Mara unless I have no choice, but only so she can tell you once your shields are adequate, and only if I will be unable to tell you, is that acceptable?"

Luke nodded, frowning but Mara gripped his hand and Obi-wan felt resigned understanding from Luke and smiled. He then took a deep breath and got ready for the hard part. "There is something I have to tell you about your father, Luke, neither, you nor Mara are going to like it." Both of the teens tensed at this. "Luke, I am told you already suspect this but, your father is still alive, he fell to the dark side and betrayed everything he was and believed in, so from a certain point of view what we had told was true Anakin Skywalker is dead because he would have hated what he has become." Luke had a sinking feeling where this was headed and gripped Mara's hand for support she gripped back even tighter having her own suspicion as well. "Luke there is no easy way to say this Anakin became the being you know as Darth Vader."

No, that was the only word that kept ringing thru both Luke and Mara's heads; shock was the prevailing emotion that they both felt. For Mara this was a hard concept to accept as well someone she had secretly admired as a bit of a hero, because according to the history she had read Anakin had died defending the republic and also on the day of the Jedi Orders betrayal he had been killed by fellow Jedi who were trying to kill Palpatine. She began to wonder how many other lies she would unearth as she continued down the path she had chosen. For Luke it was like someone had punched him in the stomach. His entire universe had shifted.

The both realized Obi-wan was still talking to them but neither had heard a word.

"… and I realize this is a lot to take in but believe us Luke he did love your mother before he fell, and I loved him like a brother. Due to the thinking of the order at the time he really was the closest thing I ever had to a brother."

"I need some air." Luke rose mechanically and pulled Mara with him, they walked outside and up the tunnel to a small dune. Where they stood and watched the stars a moment.

"I like to come here and think this is my favorite spot to watch the stars or the sunrise even the sunset." He said. Mara stood in front of him, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head, she leaned back into him and they fed strength into each other. "How are you taking this? You told me about training with him, and being around him but, how are you really?"

Mara thought a moment probed the force and came to a decision. "My first hand to hand instructor only lasted one day I was barely ten when I met him, I came to the gym feeling a bit under the weather not really wanting to fight, he did not care for that at all so he punched me in the face hard enough to bloody my nose and lips, it knocked me down. He started so step over me and I kicked him with both feet right in the groin." She felt Luke wince, "He howled and threatened to kill me for it, I wasn't for sticking around to find out if he was serious or not and ran out of the gym straight into Vader it was like running into a Duracrete wall. He reached down and steadied me and took in my face, at that moment my instructor came out of the room. He was clutching his crotch, and I was bleeding from the face, crying, and running away. I can't imagine how this looked to your father, but all I remember was his hand clamping on my shoulder. He asked my instructor if there was a problem, the man, whose name escapes me right now, responded and I quote, 'Just teaching this snot nosed little schutta, her place Lord Vader nothing you need concern yourself with, he reached for me and muttered quietly, you will pay for the that brat. Next thing I knew he went screaming across the gym, he slammed into the wall so hard he was embedded into it; even as young as I was I had known he was dead. I was terrified I didn't know what your father was going to do next but what happened surprised me. He looked down at me and I could sense gentleness in his words. He said, go to the medics youngling there will be no training for you today, I will take care of this, report here tomorrow if the medics clear you, though." Her story told. Mara and Luke stood there quietly. "Maybe there's still good in him Luke, perhaps even if it is a small one, there is a slim chance for him."

"A very slim chance, the galaxy will never forgive him, even if I already do." And that was what made Luke so special to Mara, He had already forgiven his father, a man he had never even met solely based on stories told to him by others, Luke had hope, Luke believed in the brighter future, and that all anyone needed was their chance or even second chance, to turn away the darkness, to hold back the night. And, it was also that he had already, even without her asking, forgiven her, though she felt she didn't deserve it. She would do everything in her power to earn it. "You know that is not necessary."

"Yes, but I am going to do so anyway. You deserve it" She turned in his arms and faced him. "We have already survived one storm we can survive this."

He smiled at her, "bring it on."

She nodded and with that they turned and went back inside, sitting at the table Luke gave Obi-wan a pointed Look, "tell us everything and start at the beginning."

They talked into the night.