A/N: I tried writing a happy-go-lucky vignette, honestly...
The victor bowed triumphantly.
"It seems that today just isn't your lucky day, sister. I beat you at dinner, tag, and fencing."
"Well, I guess you're just too fast. Eating a whole bowl of Alderaanian stew in a bare six minutes is just a little gross. Aunt Rouge was absolutely horrified. I'm surprised you could even play tag - I would have an upset stomach. And even if you are much faster, I can still beat you at Sabaac."
Mara frowned. "You're also being 'groomed,' as they say. I admit that you'll make a good politician. I don't think my temper could deal with all those annoying Senators."
The two were silent, laying on the fresh Alderaani grass beneath twinkling stars. While Leia was thinking about her democratic ideals, Mara observed that her sister was beginning to shed her old tom-boyishness, and was instead morphing into a mature princess. Leia was smart, passionate, empathetic, persevering, and destined for greatness - which left Mara wondering exactly what her destiny was, or even if she believed in destiny.
By the time of Leia's election as Alderaan's senator, Mara had graduated Alderaan University with excellent marks, but hadn't found any passion for anything other than flying, dancing, and occasionally fighting. She eventually became captain of the Tantive IV when Raymus Antilles retired, and almost all of her assignments had something to do with the Rebellion.
Both sisters were together on the Tantive IV for the last time a year after Mara had become captain.
The whole ship was frantic as the alarm blared from above: half the crew positioned themselves for combat in the entrance corridor, Leia hurried to transmit the plans into the R2 unit, and Mara readied herself for what she was sure would be her last moments.
In Vader's stead, the men in the corridor had fallen nobly. Blaster concealed safely, Mara confronted the monstrous figure.
"The Death Star plans are not in the main computer," she heard distantly. Thank the gods, Leia did it.
Vader stormed forward, gripping her by the neck; she was surrounded.
"What have you done with those plans?" His cold black stare was harsh on her green eyes and pale face.
Mara finally realized that this was her destiny - sacrifice. Sacrifice for a cause greater than herself. Acceptance of that fact was vaguely disconcerting, while also gving her sense of peace. With the air draining out of her lungs, trapped in the midst of space, Mara Jade was defiant to the end:
"We can't all have what we want, my Lord."