A/N: Wheeee another chapter. This chapter is dedicated to the person who has been with me and encouraged me from the beginning pretty much and is the main reason I didn't abandon this fic. Happy Birthday DarthObsydian! What better present than an extra update of your preferred fic? :D This chapter was inspired by some goofing around with a friend which lead to be being called incorrigible. I found it such a fun word I decided to write a chapter around it. XD

Chapter 10: Incorrigible

3ABY

Emperor Palpatine

As I see Mara's broken body carried in on a stretcher I fear the worst for a moment, but I can still sense her presence in the Force. Shrapnel covers most of her body and her right arm is bent at an unnatural angle. Hundred of others are wounded or dead too, but I care not about them. I had sent Mara to ensure the convoy make it's way safely to Coruscant and that any problems that might arise in transporting the new technology were handled professionally and efficiently. I had not counted on the Rebels having armed themselves with new weaponry. Admitted it was beneficial, as one of their new ships had been captured for further study… but not before Admiral Zaarin's ships had taken heavy damage. Making my way over to Zaarin amid the carnage I address him. "What happened Admiral Zaarin?" I ask him. Startled he quickly drops into a bow.

"Highness, I didn't see you there." he mutters a quick apology.

"Rise. I wish to know what happened. The Rebel fleet was destroyed were they not? How did we sustain such casualties?" I ask.

"A new fighter used by the Rebels… it took a few attempts to destroy them… they had torpedoes… which hit some of our ships before we could react. One of the ships lost a large section of the hull… anyone within range of that blast was injured.

"Why was she on the escort ship? She was supposed to be on the main research vessel." I ask, motioning to Mara.

"We had some problems with the engines on that ship. She boarded it to make repairs. I thought she was just a hyperdrive tech?" Zaarin says, a question in his voice.

"She is a project of mine." I say, not bothering to explain further.

"My apologies my Lord… I didn't know." Zaarin stammers. I wave a dismissive hand at him and make my way over to the doctor treating Mara.

"What is her prognosis?" I ask. The medic is clearly startled by my presence but has enough common sense to stay focused on the task at hand instead of falling into stressing over formalities. It's a professional attitude I can appreciate.

"Your Highness, I didn't expect to see you here. She will need surgery to remove all the metal and set her bones, and probably a week of bacta treatments after that, but she will survive." the medic assures me. Hesitating for a moment before continuing he speaks again "I would advise you take her off active duty for at least a week following her treatments. Bacta can do wonderful things, but with her medical history… I have some concerns." Though nervous at the idea of telling me what I should do with my Hand, the medic does his duty, advising me as he would any commanding officer. That I am the Emperor and Mara one of my personal agents does not matter to him… he maintains strict professionalism. I like it.

"I will see what can be arranged. Keeping her on rest may be difficult however, given the nature of her training." I remind the man who cracks a slight smile. He had seen Mara many times over the years and treated both injuries from punishments and missions alike, and understands my meaning.

"I could provide you with some sedatives Your Highness." he proposes. I shake my head.

"That won't be necessary." I tell him. "Let me know once she is out of surgery and awake." I say before leaving. Perhaps it is unwise to show such favouritism, but I care little what others think now. I have invested far too much in Mara at this point to lose her to incompetent treatments.

When my comm beeps several hours later to let me know Mara is awake, I make my way down to the med ward and into the private room which has been assigned to her under my orders to grant me space to visit her and check her progress without interruption. As I enter her room she turns and smiles at me "Master." she says brightly.

"You had me worried Mara." I tell her keeping my tone soft, though I am mildly annoyed she ended up here because she went against orders. Now it not the time to berate her, foolish though her actions were.

"Sorry Master." she says, bowing her head.

"I am just relieved you will make a full recovery. I would hate to lose you Mara." I tell her, projecting concern. Inwardly I think about what a nightmare it was to get her trained so perfectly and that I don't think I can ever manage that again.

"I don't mean to worry you Master." she says as I sit by her side, stroking her hair back.

"I know you don't Mara… you are just so special to me. The doctors tell me you will need to rest from duty for a while after your treatments. Will you do that for me?" I ask her, throwing as much concern into my voice as I can muster. She sighs, devoted to her work as she is. However devoted to her duty she is however, she is devoted to me first. My project is a success for the most part.

"I will do it for you Master." she says. "Would you permit me to stay with you?" she asks. I pause to consider that. I will have to make arrangements to ensure she does not see anything she should not in that time. It would not do to have her learn of my other Hands. Still I have a week to prepare so it's not impossible. A week's delay is a minor inconvenience in light of keeping Mara's perfect blind loyalty to me.

"I believe that can be arranged." I tell her. "Rest now and heal my dear. I will return for you when you are done your treatments." I tell her.

"I look forward to it Master." she says as I make my way out of the room.

"As do I." I tell her as I leave. I'm honestly not sure if I mean it or not. Though I enjoy her company I'm not sure the idea of having her underfoot for a week thrills me. It will be interesting to see which of us grows restless first certainly anyways.

20 ABY

Luke Skywaker

Though utterly miserable with the cold that Leia's children had managed to pass to her, Mara was steadfastly refusing any help from me and it was driving me insane. "Mara will you please rest and let me bring you some soup in bed?" I beg her.

"No, I can do it myself. Anyways you are a terrible cook when it comes to soups." she snaps back at me, though it's not nearly as threatening as she usually is in this sort of mood, congested as she is.

"Will you at least let me run you a hot bath to relax in… the steam will help." I suggest.

"Will you get off my case if I say yes?" she asks. I sigh. If there is one thing Mara is not good at, it's being sick or incapacitated in some way. Making my way into the 'fresher unit I start a hot bath running, adding scented oils to help, leaving my agitated wife to make the soup. She is partly right. She's definitely a better cook than me, having spent far more time on her own, and having learned from actual cooks… not Jedi Masters on swamp planets I think to myself ruefully. As the tub fills I call to Mara.

"Bath is ready." I tell her. I hear some muttered curses before she calls back to me.

"I'm not a child Luke. Soup is cooking. Just… try not to burn it." she sighs, reluctantly leaving me to finish cooking the food. "And don't you dare add any of those weird plants to it." she warns. Bleary eyed and sniffling though she is, I know to take a threat from my wife seriously.

"I wouldn't dream of it dear." I respond as I make my way towards the kitchen, pleased with my victory that she is finally letting me help a little.

"I heard that Skywalker." she says mentally "If you are going to gloat you'd better shield." she chides.

"Yes Ma'am" I respond, giving her a mental image of a salute. Though she's annoyed at my gloating, I can feel amusement from her at that. I can feel some of the tension ease out of her as she settles into the warm water. I know she doesn't especially like me keeping tabs on her through our bond, but since she won't give me a truthful answer as to how she's really feeling, just telling me she's fine, I do it anyways to ease my own mind. Though my protective nature annoys her at times, she understands at least it comes from a place of caring and allows me this much without protest. Finishing up the soup I pour some into a dish and set it on a tray with some hot tea and make my way into the 'fresher. "Brought you dinner." I say.

"What no nerf steaks?" she teases lightly.

"Someone wanted soup… and didn't want to trust her husband to cook anything else. Who could that be I wonder?" I say and she laughs and splashes some of the water at me, laughing harder as I flinch at it.

"Such a desert dweller. Scared of water." she says shaking her head at me.

"I'm not scared of water… I just don't like being splashed with it." I protest.

"Then why don't you prove it and join me in here instead of sitting next to the tub jumping at water droplets?" she proposes, a mischievous grin on her face. Clearly the heat and oils have helped.

"You're still sick Mara. I don't think me getting in there is going to lead to anything relaxing for you."

"Pfttt… I feel fine right now. It's just a silly little cold anyways. Not like it's anything serious anyways. Come on farm boy… you said you wanted to take care of me…" she let her voice trail off suggestively and I groaned.

"That wasn't quiet what I had in mind Mara." I tell her, shaking my head. "What about your soup?" I ask.

"We can heat it later…" she suggests and I sigh, pulling off my tunic and pants.

"You are incorrigible Mara… utterly incorrigible." I sigh as I slide into the warm water and she shifts herself towards me.

"And you wouldn't have it any other way farm boy." she says as she kisses me.

3 ABY

Mara Jade

I know I promised I would rest… but it's hard when he is not here. The chambers seem so vast and empty and I long for something to do. The only time I have ever sat so idle is times I've been in hospital.. and there at least the sedatives make the time seem to pass faster. I try tell myself a week is only a short time… but I am bored. Bored bored bored. I hate just sitting here waiting for him to return from his duties as Emperor, but it's what I have been ordered to do so I endure. So caught up in my restless pacing am I, I don't notice my Master's return until his gentle hand on my waist stills my movement. Turning to face him I wrap my arms around him. "You're back early!" I exclaim excited. Sensing his discomfort with my enthusiasm I wonder if I have done something wrong. "Is something wrong Master?" I ask. He sighs and settles on the couch, pouring a glass of wine.

"I am tired my dear is all. I am afraid I lack your youthful energy." he says.

"Oh." I respond, somewhat crestfallen. Taking in my unmasked disappointment he motions for me to join him on the couch. As I settle next to him, he wraps an arm over me and I curl into his side. We sit together silently like this for a while, just enjoying each other's presence. Just as I start to fully relax and begin to drift off, his voice brings me to wakefulness.

"I do have some good news for you my dear." he says.

"Oh? What news?" I ask.

"I spoke with your doctor and they have cleared you to return to light duty. There is a ball I would like you to attend tomorrow." he tells me. "You can also return to your quarters." he says.

"Oh." I respond, feeling a bit stung. Why do I feel like he doesn't want me here? Picking up on my hurt he clarifies.

"You will stay here tonight… and you are always welcome in my bed… but I thought you might enjoy your own space back since you seem restless here." he explains, and I bow my head sheepishly.

"You sensed that huh?" I ask and he laughs setting his wine glass down and brushing his hand across my cheek.

"I can always feel your thoughts my dear." he tells me. "Come." he says, standing and taking my hand to guide me back into the bed chamber. As we reach the bed he shrugs his outer robes off, but makes no move to remove anything else. Perhaps he is tired… but my mood is still playful as he sits on the edge of the bed to remove his boots. Reaching out with the Force to where I know the hidden music player is, I turn it on and once I am sure I have his attention on me begin to dance. As the dance ends, I settle myself on his lap, nipping his collar bone lightly. He laughs and tilts my head up to kiss me. "You are incorrigible my dear." he says, running his hands down my back and shaking his head.

"You enjoy it though." I say, grinning.

"Perhaps." he says, "But I'm afraid my dear I don't have your stamina or energy, much as I appreciate it." he sighed. Taking in my crestfallen expression he shook his head lightly "But for you my dear I shall try." he says, giving a small smile and shifting me so I lay beneath him. "Incorrigible woman you are." he adds as he kisses me. As our bodies move in a rhythm as old as time, I consider maybe might find being called incorrigible to be an insult… but I'm taking it as a compliment… after all, why change when you can bring the one you love joy as you are