A/N: Just a couple chapters from the end now. :D They will be posted pretty soon. The next chapter is already partially written. The final couple chapters will introduce a couple more characters. Cookies if you can guess who. ;)

Mara rested against the wall panting. This was taking too long. Every minute she could feel the darkness creeping closer. She had wanted to take off, make a random jump anywhere but here… but LaRone had argued against it. If they needed med facilities they would be out of luck in hyperspace, and he refused to gamble that there would be no complications. "Come on Ben… work with me here." she sighed pacing restlessly. LaRone had gone to speak with the local medic and see if there was anything they could do to speed things up. He'd wanted something to ease her pain as well, but she had refused and focused on using the Force to help her. She knew it meant she could not keep herself shielded fully, drawing on the Force so heavily, but a flicker of intuition told her it didn't matter anyways. Whatever happened now would be the will of the Force. She would do all she could, but in the end only the Force could alter her fate. The visions had grown stronger and she had a sinking feeling she knew what awaited her. "LaRone… where are you?" she asked to the empty room. She shivered suddenly cold as she felt darkness and malice drawing closer. It was waiting til she was at her weakest to strike.

"Mar, how you holding up?" Luke asked, poking his head in the room.

"This isn't working. Luke… something's wrong." she sighed.

"I know… I can feel it." he said.

"I want to run… but I don't think it will help now… I think it's too late Luke." she said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Don't talk like that Mara." he said, pulling her close. "We'll find a way. We always do." he assured her, but she shook her head.

"Not this time Luke… I can feel…" a flicker of recognition crossed her face "Lumiya. She's out there Luke. Even if we try take off now… she'll just shoot us down. If we don't try leave, she'll come and take us the moment I can't fight. We're kriffed no matter what we do." she sighed. "She knows it too."

"Then why doesn't she come down here?" Luke asked.

"Because, it's not her style. Don't take the shot unless you are sure you've got a clean hit. I pulled her records after she attacked you. She trained at Carida. The instructor who trained her trained me too… just a lot younger. Know your enemy… know your target. The smallest detail can make the difference." Mara explained. "Luke, my vision… I didn't see you. Maybe it's a sign… Maybe we should split up so she can only take one of us." she suggested. Luke shook his head.

"No Mara. We are in this together. For better or for worse I am sticking with you." he said seriously.

"That a proposal farm boy?" she asked dryly. "Because you picked one hell of a time to-" her sentence was cut short as he kissed her deeply. When he released her for air he pulled a ring from his pocket.

"Any chance it can be a proposal and wedding vows in light of the situation?" he asked and Mara laughed and shook her head.

"Only you Luke… only you." she said laughing.

"Is that a yes?" he asked.

"It's a yes to both farm boy." she said. "For better or for worse." she echoed as he slid the ring on her finger and kissed her again.

The mess hall of Home One was a bustling hall of chaos, especially as word spread quickly about the strange pair that had shown up during the battle and joined them. Isard kept herself close to Wes, keeping with her role in this charade, her face remaining an impassive mask. For his part Wes was rather nervous and it showed. Thankfully the Rebels mistook the reason for his nerves as fear he would not be welcomed back… and not the fact he would be lying to and betraying his friends. Shoving a glass of whyrens at Wes, Wedge asked the question on everyones minds. "Ok spill it. How the kriff did this happen?" he said motioning between them. Wes faltered for words to try explain the whole convoluted mess, not sure how much to say or not. Isard observed his reaction and quickly spoke up to cover for him.

"Food poisoning." she responded smirking slightly. Beside her Wes gulped down the whyrens and she rolled her eyes at him.

"What?" Wedge asked, confused. Fortified Wes found his voice.

"She's not kidding. They were using me as a test subject for some sort of pheromone… thing. Anyways, it was in the food. It's a long story as to the how and why but she ended up stuck in a confined space with me annoying the kriff out of her, strung out on drug laced food… and well… she figured out it was probably the food-" Wes explained as Wedge suddenly caught on and laughed. Hobbie caught on a moment later and laughed too. Once they calmed enough to speak, Hobbie spoke.

"You actually used yourself as a test subject Iceheart?" he asked, still laughing at the horrible irony of the situation.

"In retrospect it wasn't the best idea." she admitted. "However you try be stuck with him being a love sick pup for days on end. Anything that might shut him the kriff up starts to look like a good idea." she grumbled.

"I can imagine." Wedge laughed "Poor Wes seems to suffer from getting the whammy put on him far too often. That was how he spent the night with a bothan too. Broke the poor girl's heart." he said and Wes frowned at him.

"You really aren't going to let me live that down are you?" he asked.

"Not on your life." Wedge said. "So what happened then?" he asked. Isard and Wes shared a glance before Isard spoke up.

"Somewhere in is drug hazed state he pledged his undying allegiance to me. After we got out he was too stubborn or proud to back down on it when I called his bluff… so I had him instated as my assistant. As he had no official rooms of his own, he stayed with me… and things just… happened. I'm not even quite sure when or how, but somehow he won me over… or wore me down… more the latter I think... and now we're here." she said. As she spoke Wedge observed them. As near as he could tell watching them Isard was telling the truth. It seemed so strange… so unlikely… but the way they moved together there was no doubting they were indeed lovers. He still felt something was missing… something didn't quite fit… but on the surface he could see nothing obviously wrong. As he replayed Isard's words mentally he realized the meaning of them. As his eyes reflected understanding, Wes abruptly looked away uncomfortable, and Wedge knew.

"So you traded sides for the love of a woman?" he asked pointedly. Wes still refused to meet his eye as he answered.

"I did what I had to do to survive." he said irritatedly, though his expression was pained.

"Wes… what did you do?" Wedge asked, horror creeping into his voice.

"He did as I commanded him to. That is all you need know." Isard cut in, halting Wedge's interrogation.

"That's not good enough for the commanders." Wedge said, once he recovered from his startlement at Isard protecting Wes. Why she was protecting him was a good question he thought to himself. Was it out of actual caring, something he doubted her capable of, or to keep him from saying something?

"And why not?" she challenged. Wedge stared at her stonily, not backing down. "What the kriff do you think he did? You know what I do. I made him do my grunt work. Figure it out from there." she snapped. Wedge clenched and unclenched his jaw several times before responding, remembering all too well exactly what it was she did.

"Are you claiming full responsibility for his actions Iceheart?" he asked.

"Does it matter if I do or I don't? You obviously want a villain. You all hate me anyways… so why not make it me?" she retorted. "You can bring up old grudges, or you can accept this is a war. We each have done what we believed is right. I came here to help- and have helped. You can accept my help, or cast me aside for my past actions. Those are your choices Captain Antillies. What will it be?" she asked, her mis matched eyes flashing with rage as she stood, her fists clenched to her sides.

"Much as I hate to admit it.. she has a point." Hobbie sighed. Her point made, Isard blew out a calming breath and settled back down in her seat, closing her eyes and trying to cool her temper as Wes rubbed her shoulders to help calm her, understanding what she needed perfectly.

"Look Wedge, it's been a long few days for us, and we'd really like to rest. Why don't we continue this talk tomorrow when tensions aren't so high." Wes said.

"Yeah, get some rest." Wedge sighed. "I assume you still know where the Rogues bunks are?" he asked. "We had filled your bunk with a new recruit but…" he broke off sadly and Wes nodded his understanding at Wedge's meaning. "So I guess you have it back."

"I'm sorry Wedge." Wes said. Wedge wasn't sure if it was for the loss of the pilot or for his actions under the Empire, doing whatever he needed to do to keep himself alive, but it didn't really matter in the end he realized, as he watched the odd pair make their way to the pilots bunks. Kriff it all, but Iceheart was right. Wes had done what he needed to do… and however much he might hate her for what she had done… she had helped them. They had accepted Vader into their midst as he worked to redeem his wrongs. Was accepting her any different? If she truly meant to change her ways and help, he realized there was no difference… only his personal bias with what he has endured at her hands.

A sleek shuttle waited in orbit, it's lone occupant sitting cross legged, meditating, waiting to strike. Soon the Force told her. Soon she would prove her worth and take Jade and Skywalker down. Soon she would have her revenge. Soon. Like a nexu stalking it's prey she waited patiently for the right moment to strike, enjoying the flickers of fear from Jade. She knew she was being hunted… and there was nothing she could do to stop it. It made all she had suffered worth it to live to feel the former Hand's terror and helplessness. It would not be long now. Jade didn't know only a single shuttle waited. She might try run if she did. Lumiya manipulated the dark side to highten her fear, make her believe it was hopeless to try run. It would not be long now she knew. Very soon Jade would not be able to run even if she wanted to. She would be utterly helpless. Skywalker might try fight, but she had already proven once who was the better fighter…. and she knew he would never gamble Mara's life. He'd surrender first. As her comm link beeped she glared at it for a moment before resigning herself to answer it.

"What?" she snapped at the Chiss who appeared.

"I would have thought you more familiar with protocol." Thrawn responded calmly chiding her.

"I would have thought someone who works so closely with his Majesty would be familiar with what can happen if one angers a Sith." she retorted.

"And I might be concerned were you actually a full Sith, and not a half a galaxy away." he said cooly, allowing her to fume for a moment before continuing. "If you are done, I simply wished to inform you if our plant has done her job the Rebels will be heading directly to your location if your locator is working correctly." Thrawn explained.

"Why here?" she asked irritated.

"Really?" Thrawn inquired "I'm surprised you didn't sense it." he commented. He waited a moment to see if she might respond and give him an opportunity to learn more about the Sith, but she gave no reaction. "I have been massing ships just outside the system. I will be jumping with my fleet behind the Rebels. When they drop from hyperspace they will be pinned between the two fleets. There will be no escape." he explained calmly. "I would propose you finish whatever your goal is there and clear the system before then. With as many ships will be engaged I can not ensure your safety from fire- friendly or unfriendly."

"Let me worry about my safety." Lumiya snapped. "My mission here outweighs yours in importance by far."

"We shall see." Thrawn responded.

Sleep was short lived, as Wes knew it would be. Whatever Palpatine had planned, he knew there had to be a reason he had attacked a loyal planet beyond inserting spies. He wondered if Isard had figured the same. He wanted to ask her, but there was no way without blowing cover and she wasn't ready to trade sides just yet. Alarms sounded throughout the ship as the Imperial fleet launched their attack. Wrapping a protective arm around Isard and gripping the bed frame with the other he kept them from pitching off the bunk as the Mon Cal cruiser rocked with the impact of ISD turbo lasers. She shot him a quick glare and he released her, allowing them to stand and make their way to the command centre. "Know anything about this?" Rieekan asked suspiciously.

"They must have tailed the shuttle." Wes answered quickly. Rieekan gave him a skeptical look, but let it slide.

"Do you have any updated intel on the location of the Imperial fleet Iceheart? We need to jump out of here to a safe location. If you want to help, now is the time to prove yourself." he asked. Isard nodded and after seeking permission with a meaningful glance, connected her data pad to the holoprojector and pulled up a galactic map.

"The primary fleet is centred in the Core and Deep Core. There isn't much around the Rim right now. They are anticipating Vader is bold enough to launch a direct attack on Coruscant and are working to secure it." she responded, marking off locations on the map. "If you want my input I'd take us to the Corvis Minor system." Rieekan raised an eyebrow at her, recalling Vader had mentioned Luke was there.

"Why there?" he asked doubtfully.

"It's the least guarded place in the Empire for the simple fact nothing has ever happened there. It's something of a joke within Imperial Palace." she explained. Well that matched with what he knew from conversations with Vader.

"The blaster hidden in the case for this History of Corvis Minor?" Rieekan asked and Isard managed to look startled for a moment.

"How did you- of course. You are in contact with Vader." she said, seeming to recover herself. He still felt a lingering doubt at her words, but they needed to act quickly. Corvis Minor seemed as good a place as any and she had been fully cooperative and understanding… and she had thus far helped. He would have to take her at her word for now.

"Thank you for your input. I will consider that in planning." he said watching for a reaction but she gave none. Either she was being honest or was a very good actress. Only time would tell.

"Of course." she responded. "Let me know if I might be of further assistance." Isard said. Rieekan studied her trying to figure her out. Her expression betrayed nothing. That she had not requested to take her shuttle seemed to imply for now at least she was not guiding them into a trap. Whatever Iceheart may be, she was not suicidal enough to lead them into a trap with herself on board. It was still possible she was a spy however.

"I will let you know. For now however, I require privacy for a conference." he said and she nodded.

"Of course. You don't trust me." she responded. "I understand." Isard said, turning and making her way out of the room. "I'll keep myself to the Rogue bunks unless requested." she called over her shoulder as she left with Wes tailing her. It was curious Rieekan observed. One used to not be able to shut Wes up… now he was near mute. Wedge had told him as much of what he could get out of him, and it didn't sound especially positive. The question came down to how much of the former Rogue's silence was due to guilt over his actions… and how much might be conflicting emotions if he truly had traded sides as he betrayed them. Sighing he flicked on the comm.

"We are outgunned badly. I propose we jump as soon as possible." Rieekan said.

"I concur." Dodonna said "Do you have a location in mind?"

"Our reputed allies suggested Corvis Minor. Isn't that where Skywalker is?" he asked.

"You are thinking either it truly is the safest location, or Skywalker is sitting in a trap he doesn't even know about and thinking we should find out which? Aid him if he needs it?" Dodonna asked and Rieekan nodded.

"That's my theory on the matter." he confirmed.

"I'll send jump co-ordinates out." Dodonna said before disconnecting the comm.