Who I am with you

A/N 1: Star Wars belongs to Lucasfilm/Disney.

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Summary: This story is a short series of separate events in Luke and Mara's married life, the song continues throughout the chapters.

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Unexpected Homecoming:

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Deep in the jungles of Yavin IV rested many hidden temples, reaching into the darkening sky like stunted limbs. Atop one such structure sat a solitary figure, curled up into himself as he battled the loneliness in his life.

Luke Skywalker heaved a great sigh, reminding himself that he wasn't alone like that anymore. He was a happily married man.

But once again, his wife had been called upon by her former boss, Talon Karrde, to undergo a two month long mission. Luke was frustrated that they had to be separated like this so much.

It wasn't so much the separation as the loneliness that often gripped his heart when he was forced to try falling asleep without her comforting weight in his arms. And when he woke up without seeing her radiant smile, and cool emerald eyes… the best part of any day. He would often wake in the middle of restless nights, dreaming that her warmth was there with him after all. But as soon as he'd turn into that feigned heat, the cold sheets woke him like a splash of water to the face.

Their quarters were eerily quiet without her playful banter and interesting conversation. He missed walking in after a long day of teaching to see her tucked into her favorite seat with a datapad and a snack. Kissing her savory lips…

Luke rested his head on his folded arms, drawing his knees tighter into his chest.

He was certainly no stranger to being alone, and being abandoned. He and Leia had been separated at birth, his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen had been murdered for a pair of droids. Old Ben Kenobi had sacrificed himself for Luke upon the first Death Star. Luke had fought first against the knowledge that Darth Vader was his father, and then the realization that after saving him, he'd still lost the man.

Feeling suddenly weighed down by his dark and horror-riddled past, Luke rolled to the floor, still curled into a tight ball. Luke wept for those lost, and for the bitter memories of Byss that refused to be kept at bay at times like these.

He was so lost in his grief that he didn't notice the craft descending from the atmosphere and dock with the Massassi Temple that housed Luke's Jedi Academy.

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Mara Jade Skywalker eagerly bounded down the boarding ramp of the Jade's Sabre, half of her mind wondering why Luke hadn't greeted her in the hangar bay. The other half focused on getting her to their quarters, and she barely kept her pace below an all-out run. She hadn't seen Luke in a month and a half.

She smiled widely at the expression Luke was sure to sport upon seeing her home earlier than they'd expected. Mara nodded politely to anyone who welcomed her home, but they all knew better than to get in her way before she saw her husband.

She reached the door and paused, gathering her composure before entering stealthily. She crept through the empty sitting area, thinking he could be in bed.

Luke being asleep would explain him not meeting me in the hangar. She said to herself.

Her husband was a deep sleeper when the need arose, but she often found it comforting that he was also a light enough sleeper to wake at a moments notice.

But her good feeling faded upon reaching the bedchamber to find the bed neatly made and undisturbed. Frowning, Mara checked the rest of the rooms.

Where is he?

Mara bit her lip, wondering if he could be teaching a late-night class.

Or maybe he's in the practice room.

Mara dropped her travel bags and made her way to the training room Luke normally used. It was occupied by a few older apprentices trying to put their new skills with training lightsabers to the test.

But the object of her search was again absent. Growling in sudden frustration, Mara sat on a bench by the door.

"Master Skywalker."

It took a moment for her to realize someone was talking to her, but as soon as she did, Mara jerked her head up. A young woman with long blond hair and grey eyes stood there, a concerned look on her face.

"Sorry, what is it?" Mara replied when her brain focused enough to form words.

"I was just making sure you are okay." The younger woman said with a shrug. "You seem troubled."

Mara blew out a tired sigh. "I was actually looking for my husband."

The girl nodded. "I believe he went into the jungle, or so I heard from his last class. He disappeared after school hours."

Mara offered a grateful smile. "Any idea where he went?"

"I am sorry, Master, I don't know." The young woman opened her hands in a peaceful gesture.

"That's alright. Thank you…" Mara raked her mind for the girl's name. "Kilani."

Mara went outside, and tentatively stretched out with the Force, still hoping to surprise Luke. What she touched churned her stomach. Mara honed in on her husband's presence and followed it as quickly as possible. The trek through the darkening jungle wore her out a bit more than she cared to admit, but she pushed her fatigue away. Eventually she came face-to-face with a massive black wall. Mara found the entrance to the grand structure, and made her way to the summit.

Upon reaching her destination, she squinted in the dark. At the edge of the ziggurat Mara spotted a knot of black robes and unruly blond hair, shivering and shaking. Mara went to her husband's side, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Luke jerked in surprise, his sudden movement toppling him unceremoniously over the edge with a startled yelp. Mara leapt after him, and landed beside his groaning form on the next level down. Luke held his wrist in one hand, eyes glazed over with momentary pain. But as soon as he registered her, his face brightened in confused delight.

"Mara!"

Ignoring his injured limb, Luke flung himself at her; holding her so tight to him she could scarcely breathe. Mara returned the embrace gladly, kissing his neck multiple times.

Luke pulled back just enough to find her lips, and she tasted the salt of his joyous tears.

Finally, as a result of needing air, they parted, breathing hard. Mara caressed his face, wiping away his tears with her thumb. She gazed into his eyes.

"Luke, what was wrong?" Mara asked. "Earlier I mean."

Luke bowed his head in sudden embarrassment. "I…" he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I just get so lonely when you're away. I feel like a part of me is missing. And tonight I just couldn't stand it any longer."

Mara lifted his face to meet her gaze. He smiled weakly at her, and leaned into her palm.

"I'm sorry, Mara. I know how much you enjoyed working with Karrde, and it's not fair for me to deny you that." Luke said softly, eyes closing.

Mara drew him to her again, running a hand through his hair.

"No, Luke. I'd be worried if you didn't care about my absence." She murmured. "But we don't have to worry about that anymore."

Luke gasped slightly and jerked away, nearly toppling over yet again. Mara scolded him with a single glare, to which he shrugged sheepishly.

"Sorry." Then he turned serious, taking her hands. "Do you mean it?"

His expression was so earnestly hopeful that Mara couldn't toy with him, even slightly. She simply nodded.

"Yes. This was my final mission for Talon. And since I finished the supply run sooner than expected, he let me go early."

Luke broke out into a slap-happy grin, releasing tension with a shaky laugh. He embraced her again, then stood up and led her to the edge. They leapt down a few levels until they found another door into the temple.

Mara expected Luke to lead her back to the Academy, but instead he led her into a large abandoned room with most of the wall busted out. The hole provided a breath-taking view of not only the jungle, but Yavin itself. In the room rested a camp-site consisting of a large two-person bed-roll, a glow-lamp, a med-kit, and a bag with snacks and water.

Mara stopped in the doorway, taking it all in as Luke sat beside the med-kit and removed a bandage, medicine bottle and needle. Mara shook off her daze, and joined him. She took his wrist, and felt along it.

"Nothing's broken." She informed him.

"I know. I just landed on it pretty hard." Luke said as he prepped the shot.

Mara wrapped the wrist for support. Finally, she had to ask.

"Have you been sleeping in here?"

Luke blushed slightly, but didn't deny it. "Yes, most nights."

"Why?"

He kept his eyes on her work. "I like the view… the solitude." He seemed to be staring into space now, and he abruptly shook his head.

Mara finished with his wrist, and Luke injected the meds. Then Mara took his face in her hands, and looked him straight-on.

"Luke, tell me what's really wrong."

He stared for a long minute, and then shifted to a more comfortable position, Mara releasing her hold on him.

"I hate our separations, Mara." He finally whispered. "It reminds me too much of before… when we didn't have each other." He held up a hand to forestall any arguments. "Now, I know you owed Karrde, and I respect that you couldn't just leave him. It's just… I don't know."

He trailed off, gazing into space yet again.

"Mara, the best part of my daily life is you. I missed having you with me, just to hold, or talk. I hate not waking up to you and I usually do fine, but this time…" He suddenly met her gaze again, only to begin shedding tears. "This week is the week I lost my… Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru."

Mara hadn't realized that, and now she was doubly glad that she'd been able to be home early. She moved to sit beside him now, wrapping her arm around him. He leaned into her and wept more.

"The death of my guardians marks the beginning of my life falling to hell." Luke continued through his tears. "I lost Ben shortly after, followed by Biggs, and the list just keeps growing. And to top it all off, I kept being assaulted by memories of my time with the Emperor reborn." He shuddered violently.

Mara closed her eyes for a moment before she spoke.

"But you gained as well, Luke. You found your sister, Han, Chewie. You became a hero… and finally, you became my hero."

She felt his spirits lift at that, and he turned in her embrace to smile at her.

"You're right, Mara. I did gain. But the greatest day of my life was when you said 'I do'."

It was her turn to smile, and she felt Luke will away his dark thoughts and clear his mind. Finally he moved to the bed roll, and flopped down onto his stomach. Mara snorted at his Farmboy antics, moving to sit beside him.

Upon realizing that he was still fully clothed, a wicked gleam came into her eyes.

"You know, if you're going to sleep here, you might consider removing some of your gear…" She said playfully.

Catching wind of her thoughts, Luke immediately rolled over and shed his robe, tunic and shoes. He tossed each at random, letting them land wherever. Mara watched with an amused smirk. When he settled back down, this time on his back, he shuffled closer and brought his hands to her waist.

He proceeded to remove her utility belt, and then tugged her shirt from her pants.

"I could say the same for you." He murmured.

Mara turned to him as he sat up to remove her shirt completely, and she lifted a wry brow.

"Who said I was ready to sleep?"

He grinned, and moved his hands sensually down her legs until he reached her boots. Tugging them off for her, he similarly flung them here and there, earning himself a glare. But it lacked any venom, and he moved back to her face, capturing her lips with his.

Mara instantly pushed him to the bed-roll, weeks of denied craving bursting through her carefully crafted shields. White-hot passion flooded her senses as Luke responded with his own explosion of overwhelming desire.

He rolled her over, and pressed to her, caressing her with his hands. Moments later, all remaining clothes were shed, and the night trickled by in the embrace of love.