Title: love through Fire

Summary: It has been three months since the former assassin and Emperor's Hand fought and killed the clone of Luke Skywalker and the death of the insane Jedi master Joruus C'Baoth. Now Luke and Mara have been secretly dating each other but a series of events may lead the universe to war.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Wars belongs to George Lucas and any other characters are owned by their makers.

Chapter 1

: Coruscant Imperial Mansion :

Luke Skywalker, Jedi master of the Jedi Order, walked through the busy hallways of the Imperial Mansion heading towards his sister's, (the Chief of State) Leia Organa Solo's apartment.

Dressed in his usual black Jedi garb, Luke walked up to the door of his sister's home and pressed the door's invite controls. The door opened to reveal the massive furry form of Chewbacca, the long time friend of Luke's brother-in-law, Han Solo.

"Hey Chewie, it's good to see you. How you doing buddy?"

A fluid of barking sounds indicated that he was indeed fine and missed Luke greatly.

After receiving a giant Wookie hug that made Luke feel like his ribs were gonna be cracked, Luke walked inside and sat down on the sofa as sounds from the master bedroom were being made.

"I guess Han and Leia are still trying to get the kids ready, huh Chewie?"

A loud laugh erupted from Chewbacca probably laughing at how hectic things get in the Solo household.

The door opened and a rumpled Han Solo walked out and smiled at his brother-in-law.

"Hey kid, great to see you. I was worried about you after all that Bantha poodoo erupted at Wayland good thing Mara was with you and saved your ass."

Luke leaned back and looked at his friend. "Thanks Han, that was a bit of a close one if it weren't for Mara fighting and killing that clone we would all be in big trouble. It's also good to point out that the suggesting that Palpatine put in her brain is gone when she killed the clone she was able to fulfill his wishes in a way."

"Speaking of Jade, how is she doing? Talon didn't say much about her after all this shit left and you two went away to get her some help."

"That's a thing I wanted to talk to you about. Can we walk? I'm betting Leia will be awhile since she's got to wrangle the kids and talk to Fey'lya."

"Sure kid, let me just grab my blaster."

Han grabbed his blaster from a secret safe, hooked it on, and walked out the door.

"So Luke, what's the deal? You know how much Leia hates secrets."

"I know Han, but this one can't be helped, you see I've fallen in love with someone."

"Damn Luke, that's great it's about time. It's been a long time since Callista left you. So, who's the lucky girl?"

"You see, that's the hard part and for now I need it to be a secret and even though I love Leia with all my heart, she's got to many big name contacts and I can't let this come out yet."

"Why do I have the feeling this isn't going to be just some girl, like a pupil or something."

"It's Mara. Han."

"Mara? As in Mara Jade, the woman who for the last couple of years until just recently has wanted you dead, oh Luke this isn't good at all."

"She's changed Han, after she struck down the clone on Wayland. We went and talked and I helped her out on her uncertainty of her life. Then one night while meditating, she was crying about some terrible memory, I went to her held her and then we kissed. She told me she was so unsure of her feelings for anything, but felt something for me and I told her since the first day we met, I felt a connection to her. Since then we have been dating nothing major just holdings and kissing she's still too unsure of her life."

"Luke, I am glad you found someone, but life with her won't be easy. The things I've heard about her, just from what little Leia has found on her, tells me she's had it supremely rough."

"I know Han and I will help her through it. I love her so much, I think she's the one I've been waiting for all my life."

Han looked around and breathed out loudly. "Well kid, you have my support and when you're ready to tell Leia, she will stand by you too."

"Thanks Han, for everything."

Luke hugged his friend and walked with him back into the mansion.

: The volcanic planet of Mustafar :

A dark figure stood behind a giant view screen as a group of armed individuals took up surroundings around him.

"I have sent word to you all for a job. A job I will pay you greatly for if you complete it, you all are the greatest bounty hunters, assassins in the galaxy. Your jobs are to kill the Jedi master, Luke Skywalker, and the traitor of the Empire the Emperors Hand, Mara Jade."

One of the members of the group walked forward his suit that of the great and feared warrior race known as the Mandalorian's and whose reputation was feared throughout the universe.

"This is gonna cost you greatly especially since you want us to try to kill Skywalker. I've tried and he's not a easy hunt and this Mara Jade, I've heard she's as deadly as any in this room myself included."

"Yes, that is right Boba Fett, but it will be done and since I've sent you all a down payment for the job I'm sure you will trust my funds are good for the price of you all for this is personal."

The group nodded and walks out to their ships.

: Onboard the Wild Karrde:

"Captain, we are getting a coded message from one of our couriers."

Turning in his command chair, the smuggler leader Talon Karrde looked over at his newest second in command, Shada D'ukal and smiled at her.

"What's it about Shada? Hopefully it's not another Republic mission. I need a rest after all the work we have been doing for them and we need some real jobs."

"Sir, it's a message saying that there's a situation at the Olinar space station seems they have some information for Mara, the messenger won't say what it is though."

"Mara's not been in a good mood lately since we picked her up after her and Luke went thorough whatever happened at Wayland."

"Yes, it seems her mood has been changed a lot lately. First, she seemed in a way happy, now she seems quite depressed."

"Well, I guess I better go tell her about the mission. Take over, will you Shada."

"Aye captain."

Talon got up, walked through the ship, and knocked on a cabin door.

"Mara, it's Talon, I need to talk to you."

The door opened and revealed a young woman with fire red hair and a lean fit body wearing a leather flight suit and whose green eyes held sadness to them, but quickly turned to a serious look that gave her a look as if ready to fight.

"Karrde, what is it? Are we in danger?"

"Easy, Mara things are fine. Are you ok? You don't look too good."

Mara straightens herself up and looks at Talon with a serious unreadable look.

"I'm fine, just going through some things. Nothing to worry about, what's up?"

"We got a message from the Olinar space station, they got some major information for you. They want you there."

"Hmm well, I guess we better answer it. How long till we get there, sir?"

"Three days, get yourself ready."

"Yes sir, I'll be ready."

: Coruscant home of Luke Skywalker :

Beep Beep

"Luke here. Hey Lando, how's things on Bespin?"

"Not too bad, I'm still running supplies around here. I called cause a contact sent me a message saying that the Olinar space station has a message for you. They want you there says it big news."

"Strange, I wonder why they didn't contact me."

"No idea Luke, but I'd go with you if I could but it'd take too long for me to get there."

"Don't worry, I'll have Han and Chewie to go with me. That way, if things get dicey at least we will have the Falcon to get away in."

"Be careful Luke, this doesn't smell right just be cautious in any case."

"Will do, take care, Lando. Talk to you later."

Luke walked to the Solo's home and headed to the master bedroom and looks in to see his sister Leia sitting on the bed writing on an datapad.

"Hey sis."

Leia lifted her head and ran to her brother giving him a big hug.

"Luke, I've missed you. I'm sorry, I didn't see you when you were last here but the senate has me running in circles."

"No doubt Fey'lya is keeping you busy. Leia, I need Han and Chewie there's an situation at the Olinar space station. Lando contacted me about it, I'd like to have some backup."

"Of course Luke, I have the Noghri to protect me and the kids. Take Han and Chewie with you, they are out working on the Falcon as usual."

"Thanks Leia, we will be back in a few days."

"Be careful, Luke."

"Don't worry, I'll have Han and Chewie we can deal with any trouble."

Walking to the reserved spaceport, where all the big names held their ships for holding and repairs. Luke walked into loading dock seventeen and looked upon the beat-up hull of the great Millennium Falcon and its captain and copilot cursing loudly at some fused wires that were in great need to be replaced.

"Han, I have to go to the Olinar space station, there's a message there for me. I thought you and Chewie could go with me and provide backup."

"Sure Luke, just give us a few hours to get the wiring to some special additions fixed up, then we can leave."

"I'm not even going to ask what special additions you have put aboard the Falcon, but knowing our luck we probably will need it."

Upon a few hours later, the Falcon was ready for flight as Han walked into his ship and took the command chair and Chewbacca took his spot in the copilot chair. With Luke, sitting behind them the Falcon took off, went soaring into space, and jumped to lightspeed.