Rated - PG (no smut! That's a first!)
Spoilers - heaps of them, for many of the Star Wars books. If you don't like spoilers, please close the door on your way out.
e-mail - angela_jade@bigfoot.com - constructive criticism and happy thoughts...please don't flame me!
Feel free to post these stories wherever, as long as it's got this spiel at the top.
Disclaimer - all these characters belong to Mr. Lucas (all hail), Mr. Zahn (yay!), Ms. Hambly (hmmm...) and Mr. Stackpole (yay, again!). I write about them as a form of flattery - please don't sue. I am not making any money from this.
This fanfic is set during several of the Bantam Press Star Wars novels - if you haven't read said novels, this will make zero sense, so get your butt down to the library/bookstore now.
I'm a fan of the Bantam novels. Honest. And I'm not usually one to criticise (much), but in many of the books Mara and Luke met briefly, said one or two lines (if that), then wandered off in different directions to do their own thing. Then suddenly *wham* - they fall in love ten years after they met. So here's the deal. I'm going to rewrite several chunks of the books, often ignoring the lines, situations, etc. the professional authors gave us. Sorry. I did try to write some 'missing moments' inside the given plots, but it was boring.
Dedication - to Roganda Ismaren, who gave me the idea. I still think you could have written this. Hope you like it (I'll cry if you don't).
Chapter 1 - 'I, Jedi' by Michael A. Stackpole (chapter 26-ish. "Tionne had said that Mara looked in on Luke while he slept, but left without speaking to him.")
Mara helped Corran onto the bed in the medical room, telling Cilghal as best she could what had happened between him and Exar Kun. Cilghal listened patiently, her large eyes taking in Corran's battered form, then she left to set up a bacta soak.
'I've got to go,' said Mara.
Corran sighed. 'I know. He won't like it, though.'
'I doubt he'll even notice. He's got plenty of other stuff to keep his mind occupied.'
'At least talk to him, say goodbye before you go,' said Corran.
Mara gave him a tight little smile. 'I might. See you around, CorSec.'
Corran returned her smile. 'You can count on it. And thanks again, Mara. For everything.'
Mara touched his shoulder briefly, before turning and leaving the room. She met Cilghal in the corridor outside and asked where Luke was.
'He's in his room, resting,' the Calamarian healer replied. 'Please don't disturb him. I think he wants to go chasing after Kyp, and I don't think he's ready yet.'
'He's not on his own, is he?'
'No, Tionne's with him just now.'
'Good,' replied Mara. 'I'll not wake him. I just want to check he's okay.' And she strode past Cilghal toward Luke's room.
She slowed as she neared the door. Tionne was sitting in a chair against the wall, concentrating on the datapad in her hands. She looked up as Mara approached.
'How is he?' asked Mara.
'Physically, he seems to be fine,' replied Tionne. 'He's just exhausted.'
'Can I go in? I'll not disturb him.'
Tionne regarded her for a moment, before replying. 'Sure.' She looked back down to her datapad as Mara silently opened the door and crept into the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Once her eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting, she could see Luke asleep on his bed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. She crept a little closer, her steps silent, her breathing shallow. His face was turned away from her, so she tiptoed round the bottom of the bed. The window shutters were closed, but there was enough light that she could see he looked relaxed and peaceful. Hard to believe he'd just been tangling with a Sith Lord. Mara pursed her lips. Of course, if he hadn't been so full of himself and his abilities, they wouldn't have gotten into the mess in the first place. When was he going to realise that he couldn't always save the galaxy by himself? Maybe his dalliance with the dark side had affected him more than anyone had guessed. She reached out to push a stray lock of hair away from his face, then stopped, not wanting to risk waking him up. What you need> she thought is the love of a good woman> A tiny voice inside her said me?> Mara shook her head. She and Skywalker were good friends, nothing more. He drove her nuts with this Jedi Master let-me-train-you thing, then on the odd occasion she did show up at the academy, he often seemed to be ignoring her. Did he like her or didn't he?
She sat on the edge of the bed, just wanting to watch him sleep for a little while. She didn't want to leave, not really. But first and foremost, Mara was a businesswoman, and she couldn't do her job properly from a backwater moon like Yavin. Besides, the only friends she had here were Luke and Corran, and she was pretty sure Corran would be leaving soon, too. Sure, the other students tolerated her, but they weren't particularly friendly to her.
She froze as Luke shifted slightly then opened his eyes. 'Mara?'
'Shhhh,' she replied, glancing towards the door. 'Tionne will kill me if she thinks I've woken you up. You're supposed to be resting.'
He grinned. 'Tionne would last about five seconds against you, and you know it,' he whispered.
She turned back to face him, grinning herself. 'You know what I mean.'
He pulled himself up to more of a sitting position. 'I'll tell her I slept right through your visit, then.' He frowned at her a little. 'Mara, why are you here.'
'Do you mean on Yavin, or in this room?'
'Either. Have you come to train?'
'I don't have time right now, Skywalker. I just dropped by to pass some news onto Corran.'
'Oh,' said Luke. 'And you're in my room because...?'
She shrugged. 'I came to say goodbye. I've got to get back.'
He looked away, his jaw set hard. When he looked back at her, she could see the hurt in his eyes, and hear it in his voice. 'And you weren't even going to stay long enough to talk to me. Don't I deserve a hello before I get a goodbye?'
Mara looked down at her hands in her lap, her hair hanging over her face. 'I didn't want you to try to talk me out of leaving.'
'Can I talk you out of it?'
'No.'
'You can't even stay for a few days.'
'I shouldn't even be here, Skywalker.' She met his gaze with a steady one of her own. 'I'm up to my ears in work, and I have a lot of people relying on me. I can't just come here at the drop of a hat.'
'Then arrange some time off.'
Mara sighed. 'I'll try.'
'There is no try...,' Luke began, but stopped when he saw the vicious look Mara gave him.
'Can it, farmboy. I'm not in the mood.'
He held up his hands in defeat. 'Sorry. I understand. You've got to go.'
'Yes.' She surprised both of them when she leaned over and squeezed his hand. 'Take care, Skywalker. And listen to Corran. He's a sensible guy.' She dropped his hand as she stood up. 'Now go back to sleep, or I'll have your students after my blood.'
He lay back down on the bed. 'I don't need any more sleep. I feel fine.'
'Cilghal disagrees.'
'Cilghal is not a master.'
I'm not so sure you're a master> Mara thought, but she kept her opinion to herself. 'At least pretend to be asleep until I leave.'
His eyes closed and his body visibly relaxed back into the position he had been sleeping in previously. 'Will this do?' he whispered.
'Bye, Skywalker.'
'Bye, Mara.' One blue eye popped open. 'Come back soon.'
Mara walked over to the door, his words ringing in her ears. As she slipped out and gently closed the door, Tionne looked up from her datapad.
'Is Master Skywalker still asleep?'
'He didn't wake up,' Mara replied. 'I just wanted to look in on him and check he was okay before I left.' She walked down the corridor towards the landing grid without another word or a backwards glance.
Chapter 2 - 'Children of the Jedi' by Barbara Hambly (chapter 25: the *Eye of Palpatine* has just gone 'kaboom' and Mara arrives to pick up Luke and the gang in the *Hunter's Luck*)
Gods, he looks awful> thought Mara, as she and Leia helped Luke onto the *Hunter's Luck*. And it wasn't just his physical injuries; he had a haunted look in his eyes and even his Force presence felt 'damaged'. What in all the hells had happened to him on that ship. She hadn't seen much of him recently, but as her arm circled his waist, she could tell he'd lost weight. He was also limping badly and his face was covered in cuts and bruises. Her gaze met Leia's over Luke's hunched form and she could tell the other woman was thinking the same thing.
When they arrived at the cabin, she helped him lie on the self-conforming bed as gently as she could. She knew she should really head up to the bridge to help Han, but she just couldn't tear herself away. Don't know why> she thought. Mara no longer hated Luke as she had after the Emperor's death, but she didn't particularly like him. Or did she? Mostly he infuriated her, always hinting that she should make more of her Force abilities. Like he knew everything. Like he was all-powerful. Jedi Master, indeed. But right now he just looked vulnerable and broken, a shadow of the man she remembered from Wayland. She found herself wanting to take the pain away, to see him smile again. She let her hand brush against his as Leia tended to his injured leg. She couldn't stop herself swearing when she saw the terrible state it was in. 'How long has it been like that?'
'Five days, six days,' he replied.
'Are you going to tell us what happened?' asked Leia.
Luke's eyes remained closed. 'Maybe later.'
Mara helped remove the home-made splint and tape. 'The Force healed that?' She was impressed; maybe she should make more of an effort to improve her touch on the Force.
The comm screen to the bridge flickered into life; Han's face had a rather puzzled look on it. 'There's some kind of signal coming from all that debris. I think it's an escape pod.'
Luke sighed. 'Cray.'
Mara brushed some hair from his face, trying to avoid the bruises. He didn't even wince. 'I'll go help Han with the tractor, then.'
When he didn't reply, she looked at Leia and could see her own concern mirrored there.
'Go on,' said Leia. 'I can take care of him. Han won't manage to pull the pod on board by himself.'
Mara glanced at Luke again, before leaving the cabin and heading up to the bridge. She found Han piloting the ship to the edge of the slowly expanding field of debris.
'How is he?' Han asked.
Mara settled into the co-pilot's chair. 'Not good. Physically he should heal, but there's something else wrong.' She shook her head. 'I don't know.'
Han turned to look at her. 'What do you mean, "something else"?'
'I said I don't know. Ask Leia.' She rested her hands on the tractor beam controls. 'Now let's get this thing on board before any of this garbage scratches my ship.'
The pod was barely on board when she saw Leia helping Luke towards the hold. She raised one eyebrow at Leia, who shrugged and said, 'He insisted.'
Han, Leia and Mara stood in the doorway as Luke limped forwards towards the escape pod steaming gently on the floor of the hold.
Mara leaned towards Leia. 'I can't feel any presence coming from the pod.'
'Neither can I,' replied Leia. 'Although that doesn't mean a lot. She could be unconscious.'
Mara nodded, but still felt uneasy.
Struggling slightly, Luke finally got the pod open and the others all craned their necks to see if the woman in the pod was still alive. Sure enough, a small hand reached up and touched Luke's own outstretched hand. Then Mara and Leia both took a step back as Luke's shock hit them simultaneously.
'What the hell is going on?' hissed Mara.
She watched the life return to Luke as Cray caressed his face. Then he pulled her into his arms, threw back his head, and yelled 'Yes!'
'That...that isn't Cray,' said Leia.
'Looks like her,' whispered Han.
Leia's burning eyes turned on her husband. 'It's not Cray inside. I don't know who it is, but it's not Cray.' She went to take a step forward, but Han gently caught her arm.
'Leave them. I don't think she's dangerous. Luke seems to like her, anyway.'
Mara listened numbly as the young woman told Luke what had happened, before he introduced her to them all as 'Callista'.
So that was why he'd looked suicidal. He'd fallen in love, and then thought his love had died. Now he looked so happy, it even made Mara smile. She was happy for him. She really was. So why did she feel like running as far as she could from the scene. Okay, it was a bit sickly-sweet, but she'd seen worse, and at least Luke was smiling now. So she did care about him, at least as a friend. At least? She watched Callista carefully, saw the adoration on her face as she gazed at Luke. You'd better look after him> thought Mara or you'll have me to answer to.>
Chapter 3 - 'Darksaber' by Kevin J. Anderson (chapter 11, but throw out the dialogue, especially in the 'Callista' scene)
The starlines coalesced back into stars as Mara pushed the hyperdrive levers forward. There it was: Yavin IV.
'I am here to pass on some information,' she said out loud, as if she could convince herself she was NOT here to check up on Luke and Callista. Tentatively, she stretched out with the Force, but she soon realised she couldn't sense Luke or anyone else at the Academy. Luke's comments about 'more training' sprang to the front of her mind again, but she quickly pushed them back. The one-on-one training Luke had given her on Wayland was one thing; she seriously doubted she would fit in with other students. But she was here now, so she might as well land.
Luke was meditating when Artoo came to him, beeping frantically. He still didn't understand everything the little droid said, but he got the gist - a ship was coming in to land. He patted Artoo's dome. 'We're not expecting anybody, are we?'
Artoo beeped once, then trundled off in the direction of the landing grid. As he followed, Luke stretched out with the Force, trying to identify the pilot. One human on board; someone familiar?
As she finished the landing cycle, Mara looked out the cockpit window and saw Luke striding towards her, alone apart from his little astromech droid. Good. Mara didn't feel like facing Callista just yet, and the information she had was for Luke's ears only. She opened the hatch and climbed to the ground, squinting slightly in the bright sunshine.
'Mara Jade!' Luke was surprised to see her; surprised and pleased. He looked her up and down. 'You look well.'
'You're not looking so bad yourself, Skywalker. I take it life has been quiet lately, since you're conscious and not covered in blood.'
He grinned. 'Quiet? Yes, I suppose it has. Anyway, what did I do to deserve the honor of your presence?'
'You don't deserve it, but I came anyway.'
Their eyes met and he clasped her hand, but Mara pulled hers back quickly; his touch had sent shockwaves through her entire body. Wow> she thought what the hell was that?> Suddenly she was finding it very hard to meet his gaze.
'I need to talk to you,' she said.
'Do you want to come inside?'
'Not really. Can we go for a ride instead?'
'Sure,' said Luke, indicating for her to lead the way.
Once in the pilot's seat, Mara decided to give him the ride of his life, or at least something to blow away the cobwebs and remind him of what he was missing. Luke obviously thought he could play the mild-mannered teacher, but she knew the x-wing pilot was still in there, and she found that particular Skywalker easier to deal with.
Luke watched her as she flew; she looked so animated, loving every minute. He could understand the feeling. He sent out little tendrils of the Force, not in order to read her mind, but so he could experience a little of her joy. But, as usual, her mind was surrounded by barriers, and he didn't want to intrude. He did, however, detect a hint of uneasiness, not something he had ever associated with Mara. What was making her feel uncomfortable? Him? Certainly, she didn't seem to be able to look him in the eye. He listened as she talked, adding comments of his own. It was soon apparent that the 'information' was not world-shattering, and although he'd take it to Leia, he suspected the government on Coruscant already knew. So why was Mara here? Would she stay to train for a while? He fervently hoped so - he needed all the trainees he could get, and Mara had a lot of potential.
As she swung the ship around and headed back towards the Great Temple, even Mara had to admit to herself that her excuse for visiting Yavin IV was fairly pathetic. She took a slow breath, still avoiding eye-contact. 'The other reason I came in person is that occasionally - for some unknown reason - I almost look forward to seeing you, Skywalker...'
Luke had to use every ounce of his self-control to stop his surprise showing on his face. This wasn't the Mara Jade he remembered; sure, he knew she didn't want to kill him any more, they were even on friendly terms when they occasionally met, but this felt...different. Then, when he asked her to stay for the evening meal, she agreed a good deal quicker than he thought she would. He watched her carefully as she landed the ship; she had loosened up a lot in the previous three years. Many of the hard lines had left her face and her body language no longer reminded him of a coiled spring waiting to shove him away.
A small sigh escaped her lips as the sound of the repulsors died; she turned towards him and finally met his gaze. 'I'm sorry I can't stay, Skywalker. Really I am.'
Now it was his turn to look away. 'It's alright. I know you're a busy woman. Responsibilities, and all that.'
'Yes. Responsibilities. I'll try to come back sometime.'
He turned back to face her and smiled. 'That would be nice, Mara.' Out of the corner of his eye he could see Tionne walking out to meet them. Reluctantly, he undid his restraints and moved towards the hatch. 'Thanks for the ride. It was fun.'
She shook her head at him. 'You should get out more, Skywalker.'
As she descended the ladder, she could hear Tionne telling Luke a New Republic transport was due in an hour, with two potential students on board. Luke sighed and turned towards her. Mara noticed 'x-wing pilot' had once more been replaced by 'teacher'.
'Sorry, Mara,' he said. 'I'll have to skip the meal and get things ready.'
Mara shrugged. 'Another time, maybe. I've got to get back, anyway.'
'The offer of food still stands,' said Luke. 'Perhaps you could go say hello to Callista.'
Great> thought Mara. Now it would look petty if I left>
'Sure,' she replied. 'That would be great.'
As soon as she entered the dining hall, she spotted Callista sitting by herself, apart from the other students. The first thing Mara noticed was that she couldn't sense Callista through the Force. Not at all. It gave Mara the shivers, reminding her a little of the Emperor. She couldn't understand how Luke could bear it, being so close to her. Still, she had to get this little meeting over with, so she fetched a tray of food and then moved towards her.
'Mind if I sit here?'
Callista shrugged. 'Sure.'
Mara sat down and started eating; Callista didn't even look up from prodding her food around her plate.
After a few minutes, Mara decided it was up to her to break the silence. 'We have met, Callista.'
Finally Callista looked up. 'Have we?'
'I was with Han and Leia when we picked you up off *The Eye*.'
Callista took in the red-gold hair and green eyes. 'Mara Jade, isn't it?'
Mara nodded. 'You look better than the last time I saw you.'
Callista nodded in return and went back to studying her vegetables.
Mara decided it was time to crank the conversation up a notch. 'So, you're Skywalker's latest squeeze, then.'
That got her attention. 'Latest?'
A mouth full of food prevented Mara's reply, so she just nodded vigorously. 'Mmmmmm.'
Callista regarded her for a moment. 'I heard hints that you might have been interested in Luke yourself at one time.'
Mara choked, then frantically swallowed, her eyes watering slightly. After a sip of water, she realised the room had gone deathly quiet. Gathering as much dignity as she could muster, she raised her head and looked around the dining hall. Not one of the other students could meet her gaze and they all pretended to eat their food, talking in hushed tones.
Mara turned back to Callista. 'If this is your idea of a joke, it's not very funny.'
'So it's not true, then.'
'Of course it's not true,' said Mara through clenched teeth. 'For more than five years of my life I wanted to see him dead, preferably by my hand.' She leaned back in her chair slightly. 'Sometimes I still think it's a damn good idea.' Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a few of the younger students stare at her, open-mouthed.
'And I suppose you're going to tell me there's nothing between you and Lando Calrissian either,' said Callista.
Mara's jaw dropped, ever so slightly. 'No. Nothing. We're business partners.'
Callista shrugged. 'Not what I heard.'
'From who?'
'Leia, for one.'
'Really.' Mara's tone was icy. 'And I suppose you've discussed this little tidbit with Skywalker.'
'Not really. I don't think he's all that interested in hearing about you,' Callista replied.
Mara sighed. 'Callista, either you are very insecure or you've got a death wish.'
Callista's chin rose slightly. 'And exactly what do you mean by that?'
Mara's head moved forward and her voice dropped to a whisper, as her gaze met Callista's. 'I mean, don't mess with me. Most people find out that it's fatal.'
Callista's voice had also dropped. 'Are you threatening me?'
'No. But I will if I find out that you've been stringing Luke along. I have no idea what he sees in you, but he's a friend and I don't like to see my friends hurt.'
Mara stood up and leaned on the table, her voice still low. 'Besides, if I wanted Skywalker, you wouldn't be sitting here.' And with that she turned and headed for the door.