A/N: Whee an update at DarthObsydian's request because it's her Valentines gift. And look, I finished it on time too! :D I realize it's a tad morbid for vday… but if you have seen the card and cake I made… well you will understand what I mean. Dagger was one of the prompt words I was given so here it is. Hope you enjoy it! XD

Chapter 13: Dagger

2 ABY

Mara Jade

How simple it is… how easily a life is ended by my hands I must as I wipe the blade clean of the blood which stains it. It wasn't always easy… I haven't forgot that. I remember how I once hesitated… faltered when the moment came. Never long enough to lead to failure… but that hesitation was there. I suppose it's natural for ones mind to rebel at the idea of ending the life of another sentient being, but time and practice overcome all things. A noise draws my attention for a moment and I fear for a second I missed my mark, but I quickly realize it is simply the sounds of death. Automatic reflexes as the body shuts down. I release the breath I had not realized I was holding. It's different killing in close range like this. Most of my assassinations have been sniper shots. It's different being so close to death. I allow myself a few moments to study and observe as life leaves the body. A small measure of discomfort settles over me as I watch, and I quickly shake it off. I made sure I would be alone with my vict- no my target- for some time so I have the luxury of taking my time… but I feel a pressing urge to leave as quickly as possible. I'm not afraid but… sheathing the blade, I check the room for any signs which would indicate my presence… the presence of an Imperial Assassin… not just a common hit and run crime. I select a few items in the room at random to take with me, smashing a vase to make it look like a robbery gone wrong. Once that is done, I quickly change from the clothes I wear that are now splattered with blood and gore, and into clean clothes so I will not draw any undue attention to myself. Making use of a fresher unit in the apartment I wash as much of the blood from myself as I can. Once I am sure the scene is set I take my leave, after doing one final check. I make my way back to the room I have rented before contacting my Master. Kneeling on the floor I reach across our connection.

"Master?" I call.

"Yes my dear?" he responds.

"Your will is done and justice delivered." I inform him.

"The weequay is dead so soon?" he inquires, and I smile feeling his pride.

"He is my Master." I say, and I can feel his pleasure with me.

"You have done well." he says. "And yet I feel you are not entirely pleased. What is wrong Mara?" he asks me. I sigh, feeling stupid about the whole thing, but feeling his gentle probing none the less. I know he worries about me.

"It was just… different… killing in close range." I admit.

"It bothered you?" he asks gently. I pause and consider how to explain my feelings.

"Unnerved me a little… set me on edge. It's nothing though.. just a new experience." I assure him. I can feel a gentle questioning from him, wondering if I am truly ok or just saying I am.

"If you are sure my dear." he says.

"I am." I say and feel his acceptance of my words.

"Very well. Return to Imperial Centre then. A ball is coming up and I need you to be my eyes and ears." he commands.

"Yes Master. I will return soon." I respond before breaking the connection. I gather my things and throw them into a bag and check out of the room before making my way to the space port. Once I am back on my ship and free of the atmosphere I pull the blade I used to end the weequay's life out again and turn it over in my hands studying it. It had not been my intent to use such a crude weapon, but turning the weequay's own blade back on him had made the most sense in the moment. It's a fairly wicked looking thing I observe. Black metal with a toothed edge to the top to do extra damage as the blade is withdrawn. I lay it down next to another dagger I own… this one a gift from my Master and compare the two. The blade my Master gave me is sleek and ornate… like Imperial Palace. This one is harsh and functional… much like the world it came from. As I sit with the two blades side by side I ponder if like architecture and art, weapons don't also reflect their home worlds. Home… the word stands out to me… the one thing I don't know… will never know… my true home world. I have no idea where I was born or how I came to be on Coruscant where my Master found me. He has told me what he knows… but the only people who know the answers I seek are dead and gone years ago. We can guess, but the full truth is lost. Coruscant is the closest I have to a home world now, and it is to that home I return.

20 ABY

Luke Skywalker

I marvel at the truly huge array of weapons my wife keeps as she opens the hidden case to replace several weapons in it upon her return from a job she ran for Karrde. I'm not sure I want to know what she was doing for him she felt the need to arm herself so well…. though perhaps it is simple habit I consider looking at the wall of weapons in every shape and size. She is after all an ex-Imperial assassin and trained to use all of them. It's a slightly sobering thought. Had she ever chosen to act on her compulsion before she freed herself of Palpatine's last command to her… I would not have stood a chance.

"It's still not as big as it used to be." Mara says interrupting my thoughts, apparently having been tuned into them.

"You had more weapons than this?" I ask and my wife nods at me.

"Yeah… Palpatine made sure I had the best of everything… not to mention the items I took from jobs. Didn't want to leave evidence which could implicate me… and some of them were just… useful." she says.

"Like?" I inquire. A part of me cringes at how casually she discusses the deaths of sentients as a simple job… but she isn't wrong. To her then it was just a job, doing her duty to the galaxy… and in the end I was no better. Kriff I probably killed more people than she did in her entire career in that one single shot.

"I used to have a few really wicked daggers. This one-" Mara says, lifting a vicious looking blade from it's hook "Is the closet I have found to a replacement for it…. though it lacks the slight hook on the tip to really gut a target as you draw it back" she comments and I'm sure I've gone pale.

"Well I'm sure you'll find one someday." I respond, not really sure if I want her to… or her reasons for wanting such a thing. I hope she doesn't intend to use it on anyone.

"Perhaps." she says, setting the blade back on it's hook. "The one I miss most though was a beautiful one I was given as a gift… the hilt was carved from a kyrat dragon's tooth and inlaid with gold and corusca gems. It was truly a work of art. I never got the chance to use it… I'm not sure if I would have anyways. I'd of been afraid to damage it." she says.

"A gift?" I ask. "A gift from-" I pause not wanting to say it, but she nods, understanding my meaning.

"Yes. It was one of the last birthday gifts I ever got from him… just before his death… Maybe a year or two before? I lost it when Isard seized my ship and resources." Mara sighs.

"With paths open by the peace treaty into Imperial space… if the ship survives…" I offer and Mara considers it.

"You are suggesting there is a chance my ship was docked somewhere and left untouched… I might be able to recover it?" she asks. I shrug slightly.

"I can't say for sure… but from what Wedge and Corran told me about her she seemed focused on the big ships like Destroyers. If it wasn't lost in the attack on Coruscant… it's possible it's still out there… maybe even untouched since the day you lost it. I can put in a call to see if anyone knows what became of it… if there were any records left."

"Yeah that sounds like her. It was always about power with her. She was subtler than Vader to be sure, but it always came down to power in the end. I think that is why she hated me so much. I had powers she didn't… powers that made me special to the man who mattered most to her. It was something she could not compete with me on." Mara muses. Giving a slight grin as she recalls her life in Imperial Palace she remarks "It probably didn't help matters I egged her on… baited her when I could."

"You? Start trouble? I'm shocked Mara." I tease lightly. She gives me a gentle shove and laughs.

"That's usually your speciality isn't it farm boy?" she teases back.

"Yeah I guess it is." I admit laughing.

"Lucky you have a former Imperial Assassin who is good at getting you out of it." Mara laughs.

"Who sounds like she learned this first hand." I note and she laughs harder.

"Touche farm boy, but at least I rescue myself." she reminds me.

"Hey I saved you too." I protest. "And I must say the rewards were worth it." I say grinning and pulling my wife to me. She shakes her head and laughs at me, but does not resist as I pull her into a kiss.

"Oh farm boy, what are we going to do with you?" she asks.

"I have a few suggestions…" I trail off, making use of our bond to plant suggestions in her mind.

2 ABY

Emperor Palpatine

I smile slightly as I set the dagger into the elegant wooden box I have selected for it. It suits Mara perfectly. The hilt a large karat dragon fang which has been carved illustrating a scene of battle. Dozens of corsica gems dot the hilt, and it's woven through with veins of gold. Truly a work of art. The blade itself is sharp and smooth, the kind that will leave a straight edged wound which is hard to heal. It is as beautiful as it is lethal… just like my Mara. I can sense her nearby, awaiting my permission to enter the Throne room. I send her a mental acknowledgment and she enters, bowing before me. "Rise." I command her and she obeys as she closes the ground between us. Observing her dress for the ball tonight I realize how perfectly it matches with my gift. She wears a glittering dress of blood red, accented with gold and gems. She waits patiently while I study her and muse before drawing my focus back to the present. "You look lovely my dear." I comment and she smiles.

"Thank you." she responds inclining her head slightly "But I assume you did not summon me simply to compliment me." she observes and I laugh.

"Quite true my dear." I respond and she tilts her head at me questioningly.

"How is it I may serve you?" she asks. A slight playfulness sliding into her tone she adds "Or service you if that's what you want?" I shake my head at her ruefully.

"Neither this time my dear. I wished to give you something." I tell her, standing and pulling the box from my robes. She takes it and runs her finger over the gilded designs on the box before opening it. I am gratified when she gives a small gasp upon opening it.

"It's beautiful Master!" she exclaims.

"Like you my dear… as lovely as it is deadly." I tell her and she smiles faintly at that.

"I wish there were not need of my skills in that regard." she sighs, and I brush her cheek gently.

"I hope some day you shall know the end of war, and that you may live in more peaceful times. That your sacrifice now brings a better future for us." I say and her smile widens a little at the reminder of why she does what she does. Though she will act without hesitation or mercy when it is required, she tries still to spare lives when she can.

"I hope so too." she answers softly.

"Come." I tell her, extending an embossed leather sheath for her to place the blade in. She understands my meaning and lifts the hem of her flowing gown to allow me access to strap the blade concealed against her thigh. As I close the clasps I run a hand along her thigh, a promise of later when we have time for such dalliances. She gives a sigh of pleasure as I do, even knowing it will not lead to anything right now… simply enjoying the gentle touch. Once the sheath is secured in place she allows the gown to drop back down. Glacing at her chrono she sighs.

"I suppose we ought to make our way to the ball." she says. "Or at least I should. You are allowed to be fashionably late" she laughs. "It is after all your ball."

"Go on ahead my dear. I won't be far behind you." I tell her, and she nods in understanding. I can not show favouritism by arriving with her… but I will be close.

"I will see you there." she says, inclining her head slightly before turning and leaving. I watch as she goes, admiring how the glittering red fabric looks like blood against her pale skin. Though green is far more often her colour matching her bright eyes… or black of the shadows she fades into… I find the crimson she wears suits her quite well. Idly I consider if she doesn't almost wear it better than Ysanne.