The sky over the Tatooine desert was aflame as the suns slowly set over the horizon. High temperatures dropped quickly with gusts of wind and sand. The Dune sea danced in flames and heat. The eye could be lost for hours in such a sight. On the southwest edge of the sea, standing on a ridge of sturdy rocks, stood two figures. One tall, sandy blond hair that blew with the wind. Broad shoulders and head held high. The other, but a small child, no more than two. His flame red hair, similar to his mothers, danced around his head with the wind. He kept his eyes closed, whether form the wind or from weariness.

"Skywalker, you better bring your son in this second before I kill you. And Don't think I won't, this time." his wife called.

Luke smiled. He knelt down next to his son. "Alright, Ben, let's get you to bed."

Ben yawned tiredly. Luke laughed and lifted Ben into his arms. He turned back to their home, which had once been Obi-Wan Kenobi's. The dome roof had been repaired and the hut itself had been increased. They had dug into the canyon walls and managed to create a secure area for Ben to play in protected from the suns.

Mara stood in the doorway, waiting for them. Her arms folded across her chest, intense green eyes focused on Luke. Whether she was angry or not, Mara was certainly beautiful standing there. She wore a tightly wrapped, white top with long sleeves hanging off her slender shoulders. The top revealed her toned midriff. The skirt held to her waist with ease, draped across the sandy ground. Her fiery golden hair was pulled back into three extravagantly layered braids, then hung down her back in beautiful curls. Had Luke not seen her before this day, he could've sworn she was an Angel from Iego.

Her arms dropped to her sides as Luke reached the home front. Mara looked down at the child he carried and smiled. Luke peered down at Ben, fast asleep in his arms. Mara held out her hands to take Ben, but Luke shook his head.

"I'll put him to bed." Luke whispered.

"Alright, but if you wake him-"

"I know, I'm dead." Luke replied. He stifled his laughter, so not to wake Ben as he walked into their home. Ben's room was located below ground level, Next to Luke and Mara's room. Once a large shop, now two small bedrooms. Though Luke and Mara had moved the shop further underground.

Luke entered Ben's bedroom. He stepped over Ben's scattered belongings and reached his small bed. Adjusting his son in his arms, Luke lowered Ben into his bed. He kissed his sons forehead and retreated from the room.

As he journeyed towards the stairs, he heard Mara curse loudly in the shop. He redirected himself and walked into the large shop. It was littered with parts from almost ever ship, speeder, pod, or vessel know to have been created. Since their arrival, Mara had purchased several beaten vessels and started making modifications to them. She had become well-known for her costume vehicles on Tatooine.

Luke entered the shop to find Mara leaning over the cockpit of a dismembered podracer. She held a hydrospanner in her right hand, with her left hand was pulled from the podracer. Mara brought her hand back to the racer and continued her work. Not two seconds later Mara cried out in pain.

"Shavit!" Mara cried. She dropped the hydrospanner and pulled back form the podracer.

"Watch the language, Jade. There is a minor in the house." Luke said.

"Stow it Skywalker." Mara snapped. She turned from the pod and faced Luke.

Luke stepped further into the shop, "What's wrong?"

"The hydrospanner has just told me it's finished." Mara answered. Her hands shook in front of her body.

Luke gently took Mara's hands. The palms of her hands were red and irritated. Her right palm bore a bright red line across it where she had held it. Her left hand was cut from the base of her middle finger across to the edge of her palm under her pinky. Luke tore a strip of his white tunic and wrapped Mara's hand, tying the strip tight enough to control the bleeding. Mara hissed in pain.

"Must mean you shouldn't work so hard." Luke teased.

Mara's green eyes shot up from her hand. "I shouldn't work so hard? This is coming from the Jedi Master who has been known to overwork himself to protect the galaxy?"

"You keep working your tools like this, you're going to end up with more than this next time." Luke said, raising her hands.

Mara pulled her hands from his. "It's just a scratch and a slight burn. Nothing that won't heal in a few days." She walked around Luke and headed out of the shop. Luke sensed Mara's irritation she failed to hide. Luke's footsteps followed behind her, step for step.

"This isn't about malfunctioning tools is it Jade? There's something more bothering you." Luke accused. He moved in front of her, cutting her off. Mara stopped dead, glaring at Luke. "Don't shut me out Mara. Not now, not ever."

Mara sighed. "We've been settled on Tatooine for three years. In those three years, we've only had six padawan's come. I never expected them to stay long, but I at least thought they would stay long enough to know where they were going as a Jedi.

"Not only that, but there has been no contact from the New Republic of any activity. Leia's even permanently resigned from politics. They've resettled on Kashyyk with Chewie. Luke, I don't think we're need anymore in this galaxy. I know how hard it is to accept and I sense you're troubled by it too. But I think it's time we accept it."

Luke knew Mara was right. The New Republic had finally learned to take control and learn from their mistakes. Should there ever be a situation, they would've contacted any of the remaining Jedi. What they were doing now, living a simple life on Tatooine, modifying swoops, podracers, speeders; this wasn't a life they had in mind as Jedi. It certainly wasn't the life Luke expected to live while raising his son. Though he wasn't against a quiet life for Ben.

Luke reached for Mara by the wrist, "I'll make you a deal."

"I'm listening."

"We finish that last racer, together, and I'll contact Han and Leia tomorrow. And we'll make the preparations." Luke offered.

Mara thought for a moment. "You've got yourself a deal, Skywalker. I'll go into Mos Eisley tomorrow and pick up the tools, and you can contact them. Then we can finish that piece of junk sooner."

Luke kissed the back of Mara's hands. He heard Mara smile. She pulled her hands from his.

"Now then, I'm going to grab several bacta patches. Is that alright?" Mara asked.

Luke smiled and nodded. "Go. I'd hate to be responsible for you scared hands later."

Mara walked around Luke and continued on her way up the stairs to heal her hands. Luke watched her until she had gone from his sight. Luke leaned against the walls and sighed. Though she had a spirit that Luke had fallen in love with, he still enjoyed seeing her move with the grace of a Diathim. It only made him lover Mara more.

Watch your thoughts, Skywalker. There is a minor in the house. Mara taunted.

Stay out of my head, jade. Luke replied. His smile widened on his face. He pushed himself from the wall and made his way to his room.

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