Okie Day! Time for Chapter 12. Oh the dreaded (by me) Chapter 12. :-P But I thank you all for the amazing reviews! :D I'm so honored that you even care about this story….let alone review it! Thanks to Kathleen, Inksaber, Lareen, StarWarsNerdGirl, Darth Jayne, Ley, and all my other friends who have reviewed! :-) Thanks so much! Love, Fallon!

Be warned…this chapter is really, REALLY angsty. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

…

Again, just as her dream depicted, Shadow kicked a stormtrooper in the path of Darth Vader's lightsaber, giving Mari enough time to roll out of the way. Shadow looked in dismay at his wife's missing hand and was shocked.

"No." he thought, he wouldn't let his wife's pain be in vain. He shot at Darth Vader who dodged each blast. Just as two stormtroopers moved in to kill defenseless Mari and Shadow, two blaster bolts struck each of the troopers in the back.

The troopers fell away revealing Clay and Maryanna, standing with blasters in hand. The two began to shoot at Vader, who backed away, parrying every shot with his lightsaber. Almost every shot. Shadow shot him from the behind, causing Vader's life support system inside his suit to malfunction. He began to retreat, moving to a ship not so far off. After a few minutes, the Sith Lord was gone.

…

Clay looked horrified as upon seeing his sister's mutilated arm. He shook his head.

"No," he whined quietly, feeling horribly for his sister, "Oh, Mari, look at you." Mari began to cry, pain and shock starting to set in. Maryanna fell to Mari's side, carefully taking Mari's maimed arm in her gentle hands.

"Mari," she whispered, feeling a tear drop down her cheek, "What happened?" Clay looked at Shadow, who lay a few feet off, unable to get up because of his injured leg. Clay walked over and helped his brother in law up and let him lean on him as they got to a speeder.

"Mari," Shadow croaked, looking back at his wife, who clutched her injured arm to her chest. Maryanna picked up Marilee's lightsaber, which lay a few feet off near a rock. Clay, seeing and feeling Mari's pain, hurried her and Shadow over to the speeder that he and Maryanna used to get to their aide. Within minutes, they reached the town where the newly married couple was instantly admitted into Dr. Bruce's office.

Hurriedly explaining his sister's case, Clay expressed her need for immediate help. Because Marilee's arm was severed by a lightsaber, the laser energy from the weapon caused the skin around the severed area to burn and cauterize, leaving very little blood. Mari held her disfigured arm against her chest, gently and as carefully as possible to avoid more pain than she was already experiencing. Dr. Bruce was surprised to see what had happened to Mari's arm, and hooked her up to many rejuvenating machines straightaway. Mari was now numb with pain and shock, still trying to comprehend the monster from her nightmares was a man she had respected and was good friends with when she was younger.

….

Two days had passed since the living nightmare of the fight with Darth Vader. Mari had since healed fairly fast, a trip to the bacta tank had solved Shadow's wounds and most of Mari's as well. Unfortunately, a bacta tank couldn't bring back her hand so Marilee was fitted with a cybernetic hand which was joined to her nerve endings already existing in her arm, allowing her new hand to not only look and feel like the original, but also be able to touch and function and feel like her natural arm did. Shadow's leg was completely healed and he no longer felt pain thanks to the powerful bacta. Mari's arm was better too, although the throbbing pain would sometimes return as something called "phantom limb syndrome". It often happened to Force-Sensitives who lost limbs in combat. When fear or the Dark Side was near, their injury would pain them.

Though it was unfortunate, but Mari was more than glad that she was able to have something to help her recovery. Shadow came in to see her with Clay and Maryanna on the second day of her stay to the Medical Ward. Shadow beamed at her to see her awake and in little pain. Mari smiled back and sat up on the medical bed that she lay on.

She hugged and kissed her husband, and hugged her brother and best friend as well. Shadow was amazed at the incredible technology that had replaced his wife's hand. Clay gently touched her new hand, and Mari, upon feeling his touch lifted her fingers to grip him back. Clay smiled, Mari would be fine. Maryanna hugged her again and they started to talk and chat like the girlfriends that they were. Shadow broke into the conversation when there was a slight gap.

"How exactly did you guys know we were in trouble?" he asked Maryanna and Clay. Clay shrugged and said, "I had a bad feeling, and so did Annie, and we left. We used what Mari taught us about the Force to find you guys. It wasn't all that hard; we heard Mari's scream from a mile away." Clay said the last part teasingly. Mari giggled.

"She was loud." Maryanna chimed in now, "We saw that you were in quite a situation and decided to help out." Mari and Shadow once again expressed their gratefulness to their friends.

Mari then gasped and said, "No one told Mom!" Clay looked at her and they both busted out laughed.

"Uh-oh. She won't be happy about that one!" Mari laughed too. Just then, Dr. Bruce walked in the room.

"Well, I can see someone is feeling better!" he said, "And Shadow, it's good to see you up and about again." Mari looked at the doctor and smiled. She and Shadow thanked him multiple times too. Dr. Bruce flipped a few switches and politely asked for a pathway to be made so that he could get through. Clay and Maryanna stepped aside, and Shadow stepped over to Mari's side, where he grasped her good hand.

Dr. Bruce moved over and after flipping a few more switches, overturned a small panel on Mari's new hand. He opened it and flipped even more switches, allowing her full and functional movement.

"There," he said, satisfied, "You are good to go. Just like new." The medical droid next to the doctor handed the datapad he was holding to the doctor upon which he took notes. Mari got up from the bed and felt her new hand, testing it out. She and Shadow embraced, glad to be together again, and alive.

Maryanna and Clay hugged her again as well and she tested her new hand with them. Although Mari felt slightly uncomfortable, she knew that she would be just fine. Her hand was replaced, her husband was healed, and her family was together, now all that was left to do was explain it all to her mother.

…

"You did WHAT?" Marlinda exclaimed, upset and worried for her children.

"I told you, we were attacked, and then I…" Marlinda interrupted, shook her head and said,

"Oh, my baby Marilee, are you sure you are all right?" Marlinda brought her hands up to Mari's cheeks, which was kind of awkward because Mari was taller than her mother.

"Mom, I'm just fine! I told you, it doesn't hurt and I'll be just fine. The doctor said that I would not have any problems." Marlinda nodded and then smiled at her daughter, pulling her into warm hug once again.

"Oh Baby, promise me you won't ever do that again, please stop getting hurt! It kills me a little inside, each time I see you so hurt." Mari nodded and smiled as her mother stroked her new hand tenderly, and carefully.

"Ok Mom, I'll try." Yoda's voice rang through her head as soon as she spoke the word "try". "Do or Do Not. There is no Try."

"Yes Master Yoda," she murmured, out of habit.

"Hmmm, What was that Marilee? Are you alright?" Snapping out of thought, Mari said,

"What? Oh, Yes, I'm fine. Just… reminiscing." Mari sighed; she missed Master Yoda's backwards way of speaking, his wise sayings, her Master Shaak Ti's kind but strict voice, Master Kenobi's English accent and sense of humor, Master Windu's deep and penetrating eyes, and Master Luminara Unduli's strict by the book teachings, and Master Jocasta Nu's helpful hints in the Jedi Library. Where were they all now? Would she ever see any of them again? What had really happened to them? Were the Jedi really dead, as Anakin….Darth Vader had said? Or was he just trying to scare her? She had so many questions. All of them unanswered.

It was hard to take in, all her friends, her family practically, were…..dead. As she thought all of these things, Mari's eyes welled up with tears. They began to drip down her face, the salty tears running down her cheeks. Marlinda had left the room to check on her animals and as Mari began crying Shadow walked in. He walked with a very slight limp; the blaster bolt wound had a small side effect.

He saw her wet cheeks and wrapped her in his arms, and then asked what was wrong. Mari snuggled up against her husband and heaved a shuddering sigh.

"What's up? Are you ok?" Shadow asked for the second time, "Just tell me Mari."

Mari nodded and smiling through her tears she said, "I was just…thinking….remembering the Temple and my friends there. I just…miss them, I guess."

Shadow nodded. "I understand, don't worry, you're here, with us now. I'm your family, and so are your mom and Clay and Maryanna. Please don't get worried about it now, ok?"

"I'll try" said Mari, who once again started to tear up upon saying "try" again. Shadow calmed her and hugged her close.

"Please Mari, please." Mari stopped crying and agreed, "I will, do or do not. There is no try." Shadow nodded and smiled at her.

"Good" he said in the accent that Marilee loved so much. "I'm glad. Now let's gather our things. We have a lot to do before we can get to our new home." Mari nodded and dried her eyes.

"Yes. Let's" and together they walked out of the door.

…

Mari and Shadow worked together all day that day and the next day to pack all of their belongings and prepare everything to move into the town of Tre'nar. Mari wasn't even sure if they should stay in Tre'nar…what if Darth Vader came back to seek revenge?

No. She shook her head as if to remove the thoughts from her brain. She had voiced her concerns with Shadow who pretty much told her to stay calm and that they'd discuss it with Maryanna and Clay when they got to Tre'nar. After saying goodbye to Marlinda, the couple started on their way, with all of their possessions in tow, toward the tiny town of Tre'nar.

Mari toyed with her lightsaber as they walked, probably thinking too much for her own good again. She glanced down at her artificial hand and grimaced. She recalled the moment it was severed with dread. It was still just as horrifying over a week later. Shadow didn't make comments on her hand or her feelings on it. That relieved Mari to know that her husband knew when to just stay quiet.

She was secretly grateful that Shadow didn't pry into her feelings, partly because she was afraid to find them out for herself. After all that had happened, Mari felt sure that Darth Vader wouldn't be happy with simply leaving and not coming back for revenge. He would, she just knew it.

She didn't want her family or friends to get hurt just because he wanted her dead. But Mari didn't think she could face him again. Not after…..she looked down at her replica hand again and lowered her head, and then used her new hand to brush the hair out of her eyes. It was odd, because it felt the same as her natural hand, yet different in the same way.

Shadow was quietly keeping his eye on her, trying to sense her feelings. He knew that Mari was upset about losing her hand to Darth Vader, and that was perfectly understandable. In fact he was quite upset too. Shadow knew that Vader would be back, and hopefully they wouldn't be here. They would leave; take Maryanna and Clay with them, as they were Force-Sensitive too. They would fly to…Well, who knew where on the next freighter, taking their belongings with them.

Shadow knew that and was planning on it, but decided not to tell Mari just yet. She would jump to conclusions and he didn't want her disappointed. Maryanna may not want to leave her family and Clay his mom. Mari and Shadow already said a tearful goodbye that morning when leaving. As Mari and Shadow walked together down the long path to Tre'nar, Shadow held Mari's good hand, the one not damaged by a lightsaber or a ship crash. Mari smiled at him, although her smile was somewhat sad. He kissed her quickly and then continued to walk, almost to their destination.

…..

"But why?" Maryanna asked in an exasperated and almost whiny voice. "I have siblings and parents and chores…"

Mari had just brought up the topic of moving off planet. Maryanna was resisting. Her heart was torn. She knew how important it was to be safe yet she had no desire to leave her family or friends in Tre'nar.

"Annie, please, you know how important this is." Clay was trying to help convince his girlfriend to come with them to whatever planet they were going to. Mari took Maryanna's hands in hers and looked deep into her eyes.

"Come on Maryanna, what happens if he comes back, looking for me and finds …you, you're Force-Sensitive. You're in danger too! Maryanna, I probably wouldn't ever get to see you again."

Maryanna's face scrunched up in thought and she finally said, "I need to think about it Ok? I'll need to talk it over with my parents."

"Good, we'll be here when you're ready. Remember, Market day is in four days, so we have to decide by then." Maryanna nodded and left Clay's apartment where everyone had gathered. Boxes and bags were packed against the wall, all of them filled with Mari and Shadows things. Because their ship crashing they were left with basically nothing, Marlinda gave them clothes and they now had more belongings that they bought from Tre'nar.

Clay walked back in the room and smiled, he and Maryanna just kissed goodnight. He loved her, she was so sweet. Now back in his apartment, and with Mari and Shadow staring at him strangely, Clay hid his excitement. Mari chuckled beside herself as her brother tried in vain to hide his smile. After saying goodnight to his sister and his brother in law, Clay went upstairs to his room, where he planned to stay until morning.

…

Oi vey…..Please review and reassure me that it wasn't AS AWFUL as I thought/think. XD I gutted this entire chapter. I wrote and rewrote the 'scene of the crime' and the med scene like six times. I still am not sure if I like the way it turned out or not. :-P You tell me, did it flow? Was it okay? Descriptive? TOO Descriptive? PLEASE tell me. XD The next chapter is good, I really liked writing it. When I first wrote this part, I wrote Marilee VERY wimpy. :-P I don't find Mari as a wimpy character, so I rewrote a lot of it. I think she handled her 'accident' better in this version vs. the original. Also, Dr. Bruce is based off of my Chiropractor, who was very supportive of my 'book' for NaNoWriMo. Just a fun fact there. ;-) This chapter is a doozy. It's 9 pages long in my Word. Doc, and almost 3,000 words. :-P And I STILL am not sure of my feelings on it. Oh well, as my sister would say, Life Moves On. Keep Moving Forward. So, Chapter 13 will be up as soon as y'all review! I want at least FOUR reviews this time, because I was so worried about this chapter. :-P Thanksies! Love, Fallon.