Change of Heart: Callista Returns

Author: Durhelediel

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Recognizable characters belong to George Lucas. I just like to take them out every now and then.

Dedication: To those who liked the first Change of Heart and wanted to see Mara get a little physical with Callista…I thought it was a good idea too. Lol

Chapter One

            Mara snuggled in close with Luke, content in their year of marriage.  Unfortunately, these moments together came few and far between.  Her job as Talon Karrde's second-in-command was proving to be more time consuming, especially now that he was trying to keep a band of smugglers together in order to ship supplies legitimately to the New Republic and the Empire.  Her life was busily spent flying around, trying to make sure all the smuggler factions were happy and not keeping too much in their pocket that was unnecessary. 

            But then, there were times when her job brought her close to her husband and they could spend a few precious hours together.  They usually didn't waste much time talking, and this visit had not been an exception.

            Now, as their time together drew to a close, Luke propped his head on his mechanical hand and frowned, his eyes glazed slightly.  She could sense him reaching out with the Force.

            "What is it?" She asked, immediately worried.  Luke only had that look on his face when something wasn't quite right…

            His murmured words did nothing to dispel her fears.  "I sense a disturbance in the Force.  But…it's very elusive…almost as if someone is only temporarily connected to the Force and then not for long.  It's…very strange."

            Mara stretched out as well to try to read what he sensed, but in this area of the Force her husband was much more in tune than she.  She was better at picking up subtleties in a person's lie when questioning them.

            He sighed and then laid his head back down.  "It's gone now."

            She pressed her lips together.  "Is it something that is worth trying to find, Luke?"

            "I'm not sure yet," he answered slowly, the glazed look still in his eyes.  Suddenly, his eyes cleared and his brilliant blue orbs were gazing at her.  He smiled at her.  "But I think it will make itself known in time.  For now, we are safe."

            Mara wasn't entirely convinced but let a seductive smile touch her lips.  "Good.  I only have a few hours left, and I want to spend them in an enjoyable manner."

            Luke laughed and drew her to him.

            Mara's ship disappeared into Yavin 4's atmosphere, the only thing of it visible was the white exhaust trail in the blue sky.  He sighed and turned back toward the Jedi Temple.  He had not wanted to worry her earlier so he had might light of what he had sensed.

            In fact, he was deeply worried.  He had sensed something dark and brooding--malevolent--and it was directed at himself…and Mara.  What he had felt had seemed familiar…like someone he had known long ago, but was now oddly twisted and distorted.  Yet, it couldn't be who he thought it was.  She could no longer touch the Force at all.

            Though, she had found out that there was still one aspect of the Force she could touch…and it was the dark side.

            But what would make an older, former Jedi Knight turn to the dark side?

            Right before his and Mara's wedding, she had shown up.  She and Mara had had a conversation on a balcony, and then she had left.  Mara had never exactly told him what had happened, but he could guess. 

            Callista had promised to leave them alone.

            What had changed?

            "Master Skywalker?"

            Luke turned at the sound of the young voice, and placed a smile on his face as he saw one of the Jedi children standing behind him.  It was Wennai Dru'ya, a small Bothan girl who was very strong in the Force.  Her cream-colored fur was standing up along her back, a sign that she was distressed.

            "What is it, little one?" Luke asked, leaning over so he was on eye-level with her.

            Wennai rubbed a hand along her fur, her purple eyes glowing slightly in the dusk of the evening.  "Is Mistress Mara going to be all right?  She didn't say good-bye to us."

            Luke smiled more warmly at her.  "She's fine, Wennai.  She just had to get to her rendezvous on time.  Why do you ask?"

            Wennai gazed up at where Mara's ship had gone.  "I sensed something…something mean, Master Skywalker.  Something that wants to hurt you." Her purple eyes gazed back at him and his blood ran cold.  "Something that will do anything to hurt you."

            Luke nodded, still amazed at how strongly this small child was in the Force.  "I felt it too, Wennai."

            "Are you going to go after her?"

            Luke frowned. "Mara can take care of herself."

            Wennai's fur rippled and she suddenly pressed herself against his right leg.  "Don't let her go alone, Master Skywalker," she pleaded.  "She'll get hurt.  Please?"

            Luke had to work to make his breathing normal.  "Let me talk with the Caretakers and then I'll follow her.  Would that make you feel better, Wennai?"

            Wennai nodded, but still would not let his leg go.  "Please be careful, Master Skywalker.  You're in danger."

            As Luke straightened, his eyes hardened.  He may be in danger, but if anything happened to Mara, whoever did it would be in even greater danger than he.

            "I'll be careful," he promised grimly, gazing again at where Mara's ship had disappeared.  "Very careful."