So, this is my first fanfic! I had an idea and had to go with it. Hopefully it will continue. I'll do my best to update as often and regularly as I can!

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, obviously.

Main Characters: Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo

Timeline: The Thrawn Trilogy has happened, albeit faster. AU/EU. This story takes place about 3 years after RotJ.

Chapter 1

Mara Jade sat on the floor in the living room of her apartment on Yavin IV. Not feeling well, she had excused herself from training early that day and, after a nap, decided to make use of the down time and meditate. Skywalker would be happy with that, she had decided with a smile.

Adjusting to a comfortable cross-legged position, she began breathing slowly, easing herself into a meditative state. With her senses fully opened, she could feel everything. The few students in their apartments, settling down for the night; others, studying in the library; and even the ones practicing physical skills outside, while creatures watched from the shadows of the forest. A wave of calm washed over her, and she turned her thoughts to herself and began exploring, remembering, thinking.

Her even breathing quickened and her eyes snapped open suddenly as she slammed her walls back into place. Sweat glistened on her skin.

"No. Oh, no," she breathed.

A few moments later, she felt someone outside her door. There was a knock, then a voice: "Mara, are you alright? May I come in?"

Mara stood shakily and went to the door. Her stomach was suddenly doing acrobatics. With a wet hand, she palmed open the door. It was Luke. Glancing out into the hallway, Mara motioned him inside. Her throat wouldn't work.

"Mara, what is it?"

Fearing her weak legs wouldn't hold her, Mara plopped on the couch and Luke sat next to her and took her hands. Despite the tension visible in his shoulders, she felt him extending calm.

It was funny how everything had come to be with Luke; ironic, actually. They had met a little over two years ago, while she had been working for Karrde. She had discovered his stranded X-wing and seizing the opportunity to fulfill the last command given to her, brought him on board. She had no way to know that the farmboy-turned-Rebel-hero would impact her life in such a way. The two had become entangled in the Thrawn campaign while Mara had battled her own inner war against Palpatine's order to kill Luke. She couldn't bring herself to do it but wanted to be free from her old master's hold. Through an odd turn of events, a clone of Luke was destroyed in his place.

Then Luke had given her his old lightsaber - his father's. And on that high Coruscant rooftop, he had told her in one gesture how much he cared for her...a kiss. He had invited her to help him begin a Jedi academy, and much to Talon Karrde's surprise, Mara withdrew from his organization and joined Luke in his three-month-long search for Force-sensitives.

Over that time, Mara found herself becoming more and more attracted to the Jedi. She knew from the way he looked at her that he felt the same. After discussing it, the two had come to an agreement that if they allowed themselves the luxury of a romantic relationship, it would be kept a secret. Luke was much chagrinned about it, but after Mara explained, he agreed with her that them being a couple - a former Imperial agent and Rebel icon - wouldn't do any good for the infant Jedi academy.

That was six months ago. Mara was at a point now where she couldn't imagine life without Luke. He had done so much with her, and for her. And though it was a struggle at times, their hidden relationship had been working out well.

Until now.

Luke ran his thumb back and forth over the back of Mara's hand, drawing her out of her reverie. Ever patient, he waited for her to open up. He'd learned that it worked better that way.

As Luke looked into Mara's green eyes, he could see swirls of emotion - pain, happiness, surprise, love. He could also see tears threatening to spill.

Mara inhaled a shaky breath.

"Luke…" she said in a whisper. "I don't know how to tell you."

"Then don't talk," he replied, brushing her cheek. "Just let me in."

Mara hesitated, then slowly dropped her mental shields. Luke closed his eyes and extended his awareness toward her, gently. The brush of his mind on hers was calming, like a tender rub on the back. Mara watched him intently.

Suddenly, Luke's head snapped up. He stared at Mara to see a tear streak down her face.

"Oh, Mara," he said. She leaned into his open arms and let the tears flow.

For a good ten minutes Luke held Mara, letting her tears soak his tunic, extending calm, caressing her hair. While Mara's feelings were obvious, Luke's own were still swirling. Finally, he sat up and held her away from him. She looked up.

"Luke...I'm sorry..." she mumbled. He could feel her despair.

"Mara, love," he began, measuring his words.

"This is my fault," she interrupted, hanging her head.

"Mara, it takes two," he said, a smile playing on his lips.

Despite the tears, she cracked a smile.

"There. Isn't that a better way to look at things?" Luke said, pushing back some of her stray hair. He drew her close again. "Mara, this is the best day of my life."

Mara looked up at him.

"You aren't angry?" she asked, surprise in her voice.

"Of course not. I could never be angry with you."

He looked into her eyes.

"Mara, you've given me everything I've ever wanted. Love...purpose...fulfillment...joy. You're the other half of me that I didn't know was missing. And now, you are giving me a child. This is more than I could have dreamed of. It's worth celebrating."

Mara leaned into his embrace.

"But this complicates things," she replied. "In just a few months, people will notice, and - "

Luke cut her off by placing a silencing finger on her lips.

"And we'll worry about that when the time comes. For now, we are going to enjoy our new family."

Mara smiled at the word. Family...something she'd never had before.

"I love you," Luke said, kissing her gently.

"I know, Farmboy," Mara replied. "I know."

Leia groaned as she opened her eyes. There was that foot in her back again, and it was too big to be Han's. Carefully, she rolled over and looked past her protruding stomach to see her daughter squirming under the covers. Sleep was a rare thing for Leia these days. Why couldn't Jaina stay in her own bed and let her mother rest? She sighed quietly.

"Jaina..." she groaned. "What are you doing?"

"Hidin', Mamma."

"Hiding? From what?"

"Monstows." Jaina pulled the sheets over her head.

Leia reached over and pulled down the sheets.

"Monsters? You know there is no such thing."

"Yacen said so."

Leia rolled her eyes.

"He did not. Now come, let's get you back to bed."

Jaina shrieked and darted under the covers to the foot of the bed. Leia stood up and threw back the covers.

"Wha - ? Leia!" Han yelled, partially awake.

"Your daughter," she replied, nodding to the end of the bed where 2-year-old Jaina was hunched in a fetal position.

Han mumbled something unintelligible, rolled over, and pulled the covers back up.

Leia clenched her fists in anger, then relaxed. Becoming angry wouldn't do anyone any good.

"Jaina," she said as gently as she could, "it's time to go back to your own bed. Mommy and Daddy need to sleep."

"But...but…" Brown eyes peeked out from under the blanket.

"Jaina. Now."

Jaina stared a moment longer, then submitted to her mother. She reached for Leia to pick her up, but Leia turned and left to the room across the hall. Jaina pouted, hopped off the bed, and ran after Leia. When she arrived, Leia had the lights on dim and was adjusting her daughter's pillows.

Jaina cast a glance at the closet door.

"Mamma?" she murmured.

Leia straightened and rubbed the small of her back, then her temples.

"Jaina, listen to me. I don't know what Jacen told you, but there are no monsters here. Come to bed."

Whimpering, Jaina hurried over to her bed and jumped in.

"He said it," Jaina said simply whilst pulling the covers to her chin.

"He's asleep, Jaina. It was probably just a dream." She was really trying to be patient. Precious time that she could be using to sleep...and how her back was killing her…

"He whispowed it when I was sleeping," Jaina said in all sincerity.

Leia started and gave a surprise half-laugh.

"What?"

"I howd him, in my sleep."

Leia simply stared at Jaina. This was...new.

"Um, you can tell me more tomorrow," she said, then bent to gently kiss her daughter's brow. "For now, sleep."

"Okay." Jaina smiled, content with having told her mom. "Nigh-night, Mamma."

"Goodnight, Jaina."

Leia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the chrono. She was now wide awake.

Was Jaina really hearing voices? Threatening ones at that? And did this have anything to do with the twins' recent display of Force-sensitivity?

She rubbed her stomach, mainly to dry her palms. She needed to know.

And she knew just who to ask.

"Tomorrow," she mumbled. She was asleep in minutes.