Out of the Shadows 36
This story is mainly for my beloved Mona because I could not do without her and also for all my friends on the SSB list especially Jedi Knight. The characters all belong to Lucasfilm and I am only playing with them for my own pleasure. If you are looking for the established timeline (?) and character continuity…forget it. This is a very alternative universe albeit still a Star Wars one. My thanks to Lena for her encouragement and for Michele and Tad for taking the time to read.
Hyperspace
With a sigh, Mara finished inputting into the navicomputer the co-ordinates for her next set of hyperspace jumps. Two days after the trip to Hyllyard City she had decided to return to Coruscant and had duly informed Karrde of her plans. Actually, the decision had been made less than an hour after she'd returned to Karrde's forest base.
Karrde had enough work for her to do in the Core Regions that made it worthwhile and bought the excuse that to stay any longer on Myrkr would not benefit their rapidly growing business interests. War had been profitable for Talon Karrde but he was now discovering that peace was even more so.
But business was not her real reason for her desire to return to Coruscant. She'd been reluctant to admit anything of that nature to herself but she knew what the reason was and had to stop trying to fool herself. She wanted to see Skywalker again. She needed to know if the feelings that she'd experienced around him were real. Hate shouldn't change to something else so quickly. She…liked him and far more than she should. Part of her couldn't believe that she'd been so wrong about everything and she suspected that she was still waiting for him to develop feet of clay. It was far easier to nurture the scepticism and distrust than believe in his apparent goodness.
She checked the readings once more. Everything appeared to be in order and she decided to get some sleep until it was time to make the next hyperspace jump. It was one of the benefits of her training. Like a good soldier she took her rest when she could.
Moving through to her cabin, her eyes alighted upon the boa-wood box she had found in Hyllard City. There had been no dissent from any of the Hyllyard City Militia as she'd removed the box. No one had asked to see the contents or evinced any interest in it. They had carried it carefully to where the speeders had been left at the edge of the forest and returned to Karrde's base.
"What did you find?" Karrde looked at the container curiously. It wasn't something that he'd seen before.
"It's a wooden box," Aves stated.
"I can see that," Karrde murmured dryly.
Mara opened her mouth to explain but found that Aves beat her to it. "Sure you can but it's not just any old wooden box. Mara thinks it might belong to the Jedi."
"Why the Jedi, Mara?" queried Karrde.
"I saw a box like this at Skywalker's hideout on Dagobah," she said softly, tracing the lightly carved shapes on the surface of the lid.
"What's inside it?" Karrde's pale eyes noted the craftsmanship in the construction. Boa wood had been a popular material used in the crafting of Jedi items like furniture and storage boxes. It had been plentiful; it was inexpensive and it was durable but the fashion for using it had long passed. Then again, he thought, fashions change. It might prove to be a good investment acquiring some of the better quality pieces while they were cheap.
"The one Skywalker had contained a variety of items from lightsabers to data cards. We didn't look inside this one," Mara admitted, running her finger around the edge of the lid. "It's sealed tight and I'm not sure how to open it without damaging it."
"Try not to destroy it," Karrde murmured, handing her a slim vibro-knife with a jewelled handle. "It would be a pity."
Mara looked at the knife critically and shook her head, handing it back to Karrde. "I don't want to damage this," she said regretfully, "and if I use that…." she indicated the knife, "I just might."
Aves looked at Mara. "That Skywalker guy might know what to do with it if that sort of thing used to belong to the Jedi."
She hid her smile and pursed her lips thoughtfully, trying not to look as if the Jedi was the first person she'd considered as soon as she'd laid eyes on the object. If she hadn't suspected its Jedi origins she might have risked forcing open the box. "He might. As I said, Skywalker had a box almost exactly the same size and shape, made from the same wood. It may just be a typical pre-Clone War container but I suppose it wouldn't harm us to wait and show it to him."
"Good idea," said Chin. He was curious to see what was inside the box but understood the need not to damage it. Skywalker might pay handsomely for such an item. It was no secret that there were those in the New Republic actively searching for Jedi memorabilia.
Mara glanced at Karrde, not wanting to divulge the secret to the others that she could manipulate the Force like the Jedi could - although not on the same level as Skywalker. Her boss gave a minute nod understanding her reluctance to say any more in front of her colleagues. She was becoming more open but there was a limit to how far she was prepared to go.
"It is a good idea," Karrde said thoughtfully, smoothing his slender fingers over his goatee. "Can you contact Skywalker and see if he is interested, Mara? We can give him first refusal. I'm loath to force this open and possibly damage it when he might know how it comes apart."
With a dutiful nod, Mara retreated to the base's com centre and minutes later, thanks to Karrde's purchase of the best holonet access pathways, was sitting staring into Skywalker's blue eyes.
"Mara!" He smiled warmly. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."
"You weren't?" she asked, raising a slim red eyebrow sceptically.
"No, I thought this was a vacation for you."
"Hardly," she retorted. "Karrde has us working just as hard as if we were out in the field. We need to maintain our records, check our ships are at peak efficiency. Do all the things we need to do…"
"You deserved a break," he said.
"Yes, I suppose I did. Dealing with you and your foibles was certainly stressful," she murmured.
"My what!" he exclaimed, humour gleaming in his eyes despite the mock-outrage in his voice. "Foibles? I don't have those. No," Luke suggested slyly. "You must have missed my company."
Mara's eyes widened. "You have got to be joking," she lied. She had missed his company but she wasn't going to admit that to his face. No one else made her feel the way he did. Her colleagues were all wary of her and she didn't encourage any closeness but Skywalker certainly wasn't frightened of her and ignored all her attempts to rebuff him.
"I missed your company," he admitted, his face serious. "I haven't had a good argument with anyone since you left me."
"We don't argue and I didn't leave you," Mara snapped. He made it sound as if they were a couple and that idea made her feel…uncomfortable.
The Jedi shook his head. "You left because you had to but we'll be together soon."
"You think?"
"I'm hoping."
His eyes darkened and Mara stared, fascinated at the change in colour. She even lifted a hand as if to touch his face and then remembered that he was light years away and just an image on a screen. Feeling foolish, she let her hand drop onto her lap.
Luke almost lifted his hand in a reciprocal gesture but he couldn't touch her as much as he wanted to – and he did want to very much. Clearing his throat, he said briskly, "I presume there's a reason for you to be contacting me?" There had to be because he didn't think she'd do it otherwise. He'd hoped but…
She held up the box. "Recognise this?"
Luke sat up straighter. "Where did you find that," he breathed.
"On Myrkr. In a junk room."
"Strange," he mused. "That's where I found the one that I have…in a junk room but on Praesitlyn."
"Is it a Jedi item?" Mara asked. "It's made from boa wood and as far as we can tell dates from round about the time of the Clone Wars."
"Haven't you looked inside?"
She shook her head. "It's sealed and we didn't want to damage the box or its contents."
"It certainly matches the one I have in my possession but that's no guarantee that it is of Jedi origin. I discovered through research that Boa wood was a fairly common material during the latter part of the Old Republic. There were two boxes on Praesitlyn but one of them was empty."
"Oh," Mara said quietly.
"When will you be back on Coruscant?" he asked, trying to disguise the pleading notes in his voice. He missed her even when he was surrounded by the love of his family and friends. She gave him something that none of the others could.
"I'm not sure," she said, hesitating, not letting on that her departure plans had been finalised and approved. She wanted to find out what the box contained but she didn't want Skywalker to think that she was that anxious for his company – even if she was. "Soon, I think but I'll let you know."
"You do that." There was something in Luke's expression that made Mara think that he'd seen right through her. "I believe I have you to thank for access to…" He paused and she could see the little shiver that he gave.
"It's alright," Mara finished huskily. "I know… Did you find anything useful?"
"Some things," he admitted. "There are lists upon lists of Jedi killed and there is, perhaps more usefully, a list of those Jedi that were never found - so much data on these Jedi, their families and their friends. There are many Sith and Jedi training manuals which will be useful if I am to instruct a new generation of Jedi…" He sighed. "I don't know if I am up to the task but I have to be."
"You will be," Mara said suddenly.
"Force, Mara…I…" He broke off, his shoulders slumping.
"You will manage because it's what you have to do." Mara wanted nothing more than to give more comfort to the man but she could not – she didn't know how. "I'll contact you when I return. Goodbye for now, Skywalker."
"Goodbye," he echoed quietly. "Safe journey and clear skies when it happens, Mara."
She ended the call and sat just staring into space for a few moments. They were so different and yet so similar and she missed him.
xxxxxxxxx
Giving a tired yawn, Mara stripped off her belt, jumpsuit and boots, pulled the clinging shift she slept in over her head and, after setting the alarm to come on just before her next hyperspace jump, climbed into her bunk. She managed to fall asleep within minutes of laying her head on the pillow.
"Mara!"
She struggled within the clouds of sleep towards the voice that was calling to her. It was one she recognised and for a moment dread coloured her dreams. But the voice was too benign to belong to her master and it lacked the faint Outer Rim burr she still detected in Skywalker's voice. It was stronger when he was emotionally affected but…
"Mara!" The voice called again, more insistent this time.
And then she knew. The voice belonged to Kenobi's Jedi Master, the spirit who had come to her now on several occasions – Qui-Gon Jinn. "You are my guide," she whispered. The dream was as vivid as the others.
"Ah." There was a chuckle. "Skywalker's son is getting through to you."
"Getting through to me?"
"He's been training you."
"A little. I gave him the holocron." Mara couldn't or wouldn't comment to the long-dead Jedi about what she and Skywalker were doing even if this was a dream.
"You must trust him. You know that you want to." Qui-Gon's voice became stronger.
"I trust only myself," she ground out bitterly. "I have never let myself down."
"Never?"
"I am alive," she maintained stubbornly.
"To become a Jedi, you must trust in the Force," Qui-Gon lectured patiently. "You must trust Skywalker's son."
"I am not convinced that I am suited to the life of a Jedi."
She heard a faint sigh. "Why must you apprentices all be so stubborn? To become a Jedi takes no half measures but, rather, great effort and sacrifice as the life is not easy."
"My life has never been easy." The defensive anger began to rise.
"Mara, beware anger…"
"I know what it does." She cut him off before he could go any further. "I've heard that maxim already."
"You are strong with the Force and you would help him so much. The boy has already spent too much time alone. But more than that, it is your right and your destiny."
"I make my own destiny," she maintained but the heat had gone out of her words.
Qui-Gon's faint sigh sounded in her ear. "Of course you do but you could find answers and peace as a Jedi Knight. Listen to the boy and trust what he says."
Mara recalled Skywalker as she'd last seen him. "Skywalker is no boy and he already has a family."
"One that he considers you a part of perhaps?"
It was a shrewd move on Qui-Gon's part. Mara still secretly longed to have a family. She'd clung to Palpatine as her family only to find that he was using her. Skywalker's family loved him and she longed to experience that kind of trust. "That's rubbish. We barely know one another."
"That's not true. You and Skywalker instinctively understand one another on a level that few beings can comprehend. The Skywalker destiny speaks for him and links you close."
"Close?"
"You and he make a good team."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The way of the Jedi is not a solitary one. You can help him."
She had heard all this before and, instead of continuing the argument, changed the subject completely. "I found a box."
"I know…. Myrkr – an interesting place for a Jedi to hide. They would be powerless but then so would anyone sent to find them."
"Are they still there…the Jedi?"
Qui-Gon sighed. "No. They had to move on. It was a difficult and dangerous time for the order. That box was nearly lost to us."
"Yet you managed to draw my attention to it," Mara said in understanding. "How?"
"If one is determined enough and has the right kind of help…" Qui-Gon's voice was smug. It had been good to see his former master again even if he still made him feel like an underachieving fourteen year old.
"What kind of help?"
Qui-Gon just smiled. He didn't divulge to Mara what that help had been but she had her suspicions. Yoda had liked her and in the last moments of his life had decided that yes, this prickly young woman would be a fitting companion for his last apprentice.
"Listen, young padawan," he said urgently. "My time with you grows ever shorter. There is great danger ahead for both you and the boy. The darkness is still with us, growing stronger and more malevolent. You and Skywalker's son will need to act to save the light from being consumed by the darkness. Mara, you must face your past to gain your future. This will only happen when you…"
"Become a Jedi," Mara finished dully.
"No. Only if you accept that the boy has no blame and that you were grievously wronged by someone who should not have twisted your gifts to suit his own purposes. I still think your destiny belongs with the Jedi but you cannot be forced." He grimaced slightly at the pun. "Perhaps I made a mistake with Anakin…"
"Anakin?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Now is not the time and it is not truly my story to tell. Being a Jedi has to be what you want."
Anakin. Mara's sleep fogged mind knew she'd heard that name before but Qui-Gon's voice was growing fainter and she found herself straining to hear his words. She was waking up.
"Do you see the Jedi in my future?" she wondered.
"You know that the future is always in motion?"
"Yes. Skywalker has said that." She could hear a faint beeping on the edge of her consciousness.
"I see the Jedi in several of your futures."
"And in the others?"
Qui-Gon hesitated for a moment and then said quietly, "You do not survive. I do not see you."
"Oh," Mara said. "Well, that's clear enough unless it's a form of Jedi blackmail."
"No, I say what I saw. These are still only possible futures. There are things that I cannot see. By telling you about them I have probably increased the number of potential futures for you and Skywalker even further. I thought to train the boy and bring balance to the Force but did not survive. It's possible I did a great wrong in my stubbornness and pride. The real child of the prophecy is not the father but the son."
"Qui-Gon…" Mara hesitated. She didn't understand what he was saying. What father and what son? She had missed something in all of this. And what prophecy?
"What is it, Mara?"
The beeping of her alarm was growing louder. "Skywalker…"
"Ahh." The voice held understanding but was fading away as true waking awareness returned to Mara. "Ask him what you need to know. He would not lie to you."
"Qui-Gon…"
But he had gone and the alarm was drumming into her skull. With an annoyed huff of sound she swiped at the button to switch it off. Swinging her legs from the bunk she grabbed a loose tunic, pulled it over her head and made her way to the cockpit. She had things to think about again and as usual it came around to one man.
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Coruscant
Tionne had a sense of déjà vu when she finished playing her last set of pieces with a careful flourish, her slender fingers teased out the last arpeggio until the sound died away. She was rewarded after a couple of seconds with a ripple of generous applause. But there was only one being in the room that she'd played that last piece for. The hooded figure sat near the back of the room but she knew that the grey eyes would be watching with warmth and not suspicion. She met his steady regard and smiled.
Her hands gripped the precious stringed instrument deftly as she bowed and walked to the area behind the small stage where she had left her cloak and her instrument case. She'd told Kam that she was quite capable of seeing herself back to the Lore Seeker but she should have known that he would disagree.
"Excuse me," she murmured, squeezing past a couple of men dressed in orange flight suits unsteadily waving tankards of lum and, by the sounds of it, trying to outdo one another with tales of their exploits. She hid a smile - it obviously wasn't their first lum either.
"Do you remember over Hoth…?
"And the tow cable?"
"I'm sorry, could I get past you?" Tionne asked again, not really looking at the men as all her attention was focused on getting to Kam. She gathered her courage to deal with them firmly but pleasantly.
"I'm sorry," one of them apologised, moving out of her way.
"I enjoyed your singing," said the other. "That last set was particularly haunting."
Tionne glanced at the other pilot and smiled vaguely, surprised at their politeness. But she did not want to stay and talk to drunken strangers no matter how personable they seemed.
"You deserve your drink," said the first.
"Yes, I do." Tionne smiled and, unseen by both pilots, rolled her eyes and finally made her way past them and towards Kam.
"It will be good to hear the songs of the Jedi again without fear of censure."
Tionne whirled around. "What!" But all she saw was two unsteady figures merging with the rest of the crowd that suddenly seemed to be leaving the bar out into the busy concourse. "I must have imagined it," she murmured softly. She tried to see if she could catch a glimpse of the two pilots but they had gone.
"Imagined what?" asked Kam as she placed her instrument case on the floor and slipped into the seat beside him. He pushed a glass towards her.
Gulping gratefully at the drink he had bought her, she gave a sigh of tired relief. "It was nothing," she said. "I was hearing things." She hadn't looked at the men properly. But one of them had definitely mentioned the Jedi or so she had thought.
"It's difficult to hear anything in here." Kam was staring at a giant holo screen that took up nearly an entire wall, a tall glass of lomin ale in front of him. The previously muted sound was now blasting out a news report so loudly that it was almost impossible to know what was being said.
"I didn't think you would be here," Tionne said. "I thought you were going to give Kelt some new lightsaber workouts."
"I didn't like the idea of you being here alone and Kelt agreed with me." He gave her a look, his expression sardonic. "I suggested that I come and meet you and he gave us permission to stay for a drink or two."
"Kelt gave us his permission?" Tionne asked carefully, wondering if her hearing was malfunctioning. "I must remember to thank him," she managed to say.
"I can't recall either of us needing the whelp's permission," Kam muttered. "Although I may have misjudged him."
Tionne laughed and shook her head, her eyes meeting Kam's as something strange and tender flashed between them. "Let's enjoy our new found freedom."
"Yes." Kam nodded but his sharp grey gaze was sweeping around the room looking for potential hazards and escape routes.
"Kam!"
"Habit," he said, focusing his attention once more on the holo screen above his head. A young man in black smiled reluctantly at a crowd of waiting holo-reporters before slipping to the back of a group of beings containing some of the New Republic's current leaders. Princess Leia Organa held out her hand and General Han Solo kissed it before tucking it and the dark-haired Princess against him.
"That's Mon Mothma's official announcement of Solo and Organa's engagement," Tionne said in comprehension.
"They've been playing it on a loop since I arrived," Kam stated, nostrils flaring in annoyance. "However, they've now switched on the sound."
Tionne studied the flickering images and noted thoughtfully, "I feel sorry for him. He doesn't look any older than Kelt."
"And you are a grandmother?" Kam asked dryly.
"No, but I'm several years older than Kelt. Skywalker looks very young."
"Skywalker isn't much older than Kelt or he might even be around the same age. But don't let his age fool you. If he's had the proper training he is as dangerous as I am and probably a lot more powerful."
"Or as safe as you are," Tionne corrected.
"I am not safe."
"I feel that way when I am with you," Tionne admitted. She stared up at the holo screen and watched Skywalker move himself away from the limelight as soon as he could. "He doesn't look powerful."
Kam rubbed a hand across his eyes and sighed. "I can assure you that he is powerful. I can sense that power calling to me sometimes. It's probable that Yoda went into hiding to be alive to train this one. Yoda would not have done that for a 'nothing'. His was a calculating mind. He looked to the Force's future and saw the preservation of that as his sole duty."
"It's placed a heavy burden on that young man," Tionne said. "I can see it just by looking at him."
"So can I but there's no one else able to do it. I'm not sure that he's able to do it but there's no one else. I cannot do it." He took a mouthful of ale and managed a world-weary smile.
"You could lead the Jedi." Tionne said fervently.
Kam shook his head. "I'm touched by your faith in me, Tionne, but no, I couldn't lead the Jedi – not like he will."
"Do you think that we will manage to contact Skywalker?"
Kam's smile widened and turned smug before looking a little shamefaced. "Remember that I said I thought I'd misjudged Kelt?"
"Yes, you did say that although there has been friction on both sides. How have you misjudged him?"
"He reminded me of something I should not have forgotten - one of the most basic facts about the existence of any Jedi."
"And…" Tionne tried not to get exasperated. She was a patient being but sometimes Kam could try the patience of a dim-witted omnipod.
"We have the Force," he pronounced with satisfaction.
"And?"
"That's it," he muttered, frowning.
"So we have the Force. What do we do with it that will get us into contact with Skywalker?"
Kam finished his drink and Tionne found herself watching as he tipped back his head and swallowed the dregs of the ale. "Simple," he said, getting to his feet and holding out his hand to help Tionne from her stool. "There are three of us. We go to the place where the Force is at its most potent and wait for him. We should be able to draw him to us if we have the right location. We might not have to 'do' anything."
"But…" Tionne let Kam place her cloak around her shoulders and watched as he picked up her instrument and ushered her from the crowded bar.
"Come," he said, placing his arm around her shoulders.
"We are going to the Jedi Temple," she breathed, staring up at him. "I'm right, am I not?"
"Yes."
"But I thought…" She stopped and looked up at him, her fair features concerned. "I thought that you did not want to go there."
"I don't. The temple site holds far too many memories and not all of them are good ones. However, if that is the way we must choose to proceed, then I will go. My father would have chided me for my lack of patience but I have spent enough time waiting."
"Waiting is hard when the way ahead is visible," Tionne murmured. "My grandmother said that to me once. I wanted to be grown up. She knew I wasn't ready for it."
"We are ready. We need to move forward. Skywalker needs to stop hiding behind groups of people and do what he was destined to do."
"Do you think he's hiding?" asked Tionne, as they moved away from the bright lights and the crowds of glamorous beings seeking entertainment. "He didn't look comfortable."
"They were politicians. He's a Jedi. The two are not supposed to be comfortable together."
"But he should learn from them." The space traffic droned above them in ordered lanes that became busier as they walked towards the more industrialised spaceport. Wandering slowly past machine shops, equipment and supply stores teeming with ordinary spacers, the couple neared Tionne's docking bay.
"From what I can tell…I could be wrong, of course, but I don't think that he seeks the attention of the masses. He does not want power in the way that Palpatine did. Apart from that, I don't know." His grey eyes seemed to turn inwards. "I don't know him."
"But you will," she said softly. "In all the holos, he appears closed – difficult to read."
"That comes with training," Kam replied. "I hope he got the right training. He will need it - especially if he is to do something to deflect Kelt's meagre matchmaking skills for you and me."
Tionne blushed and hoped that Kam didn't see it. "You do not want to have a match?" she asked quietly, appalled at the way disappointment was racing through her.
"I didn't say that." Kam stopped and turned to stare down into Tionne's face. "But I prefer to do my own matching." The kiss was sweet and somehow cleansing, Kam thought, as his lips touched the softness of hers.
They slowed down their steps, reluctant to let their time alone end.
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Luke had enjoyed spending the day with Wedge and the rest of the Rogues. The flight in the borrowed X-wing had been a joy and he'd had a few pangs of regret at the loss of his own trusty vehicle. He would have to do something about getting his own transport and soon. He wasn't used to relying so much on others.
After the training manoeuvres Luke had been set to make his way back to Han and Leia's when Wedge had invited him out for a drink. Luke hadn't hesitated. His sister and her fiancé were at some function or other that Luke had definitely not wanted to attend, although he could have if he'd wanted to. The galaxy's sole Jedi was welcome on any guest list but he was already tired of being paraded around. A drink with the boys - and girls - of Rogue Squadron sounded appealing and he could try to forget about the Force, the Jedi and that damned beautiful redhead that filled the rest of his waking moments for one evening.
"You coming, Luke? We won't be late. At least, that's the usual intention."
"Sure, Wedge," he said, as he swung his legs out of the X-wing's cockpit. "A drink sounds great. I could do with some company. Leia and Han have deserted me to go to some fancy function. Han was complaining about his dress uniform when I left this morning."
Wedge smirked. "Rather him than me."
The squadron headed for the bars nearest to the Rogue's headquarters and not too far from the Westport, one of Coruscant's main spaceports. Secure in the anonymity that his flight suit gave him, Luke enjoyed blending in with the crowd.
"Where do you usually go?" Luke asked, staring at the crowds of beings of various species wandering past him intent on having a good time.
"We never have a set place," Wedge admitted, his dark eyes drinking in all the coloured lights. "We should find somewhere but it often depends on how we feel."
Luke chuckled. "Matching the place to suit the mood."
"Exactly," the Corellian agreed.
Luke moved unhurriedly out of the way of a Rodian being propelled with scant ceremony from a doorway by the four-armed security guard.
"This place is good," Wedge shouted, making large gestures so that the rest of the group would see them. "They don't put up with any nonsense and they occasionally have live music." He peered at a display next to the entrance. "Never heard of her," he muttered.
"Never heard of whom, Boss?" Janson came up behind Wedge and slapped him on the back.
"The singer…Tionne or something."
"Are we going in?" Hobbie said.
"We're going in." Luke stepped inside and heard the clear soprano voice calling to him across the crowd. Even though he had never met the woman from the spaceport, he recognised her calming presence instantly. Her unconscious call was different from Mara's. This call was the lure of one Force user to another – sweet and pure. It wasn't long before Luke pinpointed another presence. So they'd made it to Coruscant, he thought with relief, Kam Solusar, this woman and probably the young man. Luke couldn't sense him in the bar but guessed that he may have been left to guard the ship. They would be important. Luke knew that he had found the next generation of Jedi Knights. All he had to do was get them to agree.
Gradually he relaxed into being with his friends, letting Tionne's mix of music wash through him on a deeper level that he would examine once he was alone. Her last song was one that he already recognised from listening to one of the recording rods he'd found on his travels. So she was actively searching for Jedi material. Luke smiled.
Wedge passed him a tankard of lum. "Hey, remember…"
"That time when…?" Luke raised his eyebrows and took a swig of the cloudy liquid. "It's getting crowded in here," he muttered as someone jogged his elbow.
"Excuse me," a silvery-haired woman said quietly.
Wedge waved at the bar droid. "Do you remember over Hoth…?
"And the tow cable?"
"I'm sorry, could I get past you?" the woman asked again more loudly.
Wedge glanced over his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he apologised, moving out of her way.
Luke paused as the sense of the Force swirled around him. "I enjoyed your singing," he said sincerely. So this was Tionne, this talented woman with a serene air. "That last set was particularly haunting."
She glanced up at him, her silvery eyes glinting in the subdued lighting but Luke could tell that she had her mind on other things.
"You deserve your drink," Wedge offered cheerfully.
"Yes, I do." The fair haired woman smiled vaguely and finally made her way past them, heading towards a table at the back.
Relaxed after several glasses of lum, Luke called after her. "It will be good to hear the songs of the Jedi again without fear of censure." He thought she might have answered him but he wasn't sure. He drained his glass and followed Wedge from the cantina.
He would meet her again and it would be soon.
"I'm going to call it a night, Wedge," Luke murmured, checking his wrist chrono. It was getting late and he had a lot to do tomorrow.
"Are you sure you don't want another?" the Corellian persisted. "There's this great place near the Rogue Squadron HQ."
Luke shook his head and grinned. "I've had far more than I'm used to," he admitted. "There weren't many cantinas where I was staying."
Wedge weaved unsteadily through the throng of people. "Bring the redhead next time," he instructed the Jedi.
"Redhead!" Luke opened and shut his mouth.
"You can't have forgotten about her already?" Wedge said. "She's quite something."
Luke almost groaned aloud. "No, I've not forgotten about her. She's currently off-world on business. She works for Talon Karrde, remember?"
"Oh…" They made their way along the concourse until they stopped outside another cantina. Wedge assessed the security droid at the door. "So, is it serious?"
Luke frowned. "Is what serious?"
Wedge shrugged. "You and her. Is it serious?"
"Mara and I!" Luke shook his head. "It's not like that at all."
"Yeah, right," Wedge's dark eyes said that he didn't believe Luke for one minute and the Jedi wasn't sure if he didn't agree with him.
"She'll kill you if you ever suggest such a thing," Luke warned.
Wedge laughed and then took in the worried expression his friend was sporting. "You're joking."
Luke shook his head again. "She'll kill you and then me but won't mind who she finishes off first. But she's beautiful when she's angry." In his mind's eye, Luke could see her green eyes sparkling with rage and how the energy seemed to bounce off her red-gold curls.
Wedge smirked. "It's like that, is it?"
Luke clapped a hand over his mouth and mumbled something behind his fingers about cutting back on lum because it meant that he couldn't control his tongue. His fiery redhead matched him in every aspect of the Force and his life and was the one woman he would love until the end of his days whether she returned that feeling or not. But he wasn't ready to discuss her with Wedge.
Suddenly there were some running footsteps and the rest of the Rogues materialised beside them. "We going in then, Boss, or are we gonna stand out here all night?"
Wedge looked up at the flashing sign. "The Thirsty Taun-taun," he murmured. "We've had some good nights in this place."
Janson turned to the Jedi. "Luke?"
Luke shook his head. "I think I've drunk more than enough for one evening…"
"Lightweight," scoffed Hobbie.
"Look who's talking," retorted Janson.
"As I said," Luke interrupted their good-natured bickering, "I've had more than enough to drink, I have an early meeting tomorrow morning and I'm not going into any place that mentions taun-tauns. I'm allergic to them."
"But not redheads," muttered Wedge under his breath but Luke still heard him and shot him a glare that would have done Vader proud.
"I'm going home. G'night, boys…and girls," he added.
"It's okay," Feylis replied. "I'm used to it."
"Just trying to be polite," Luke murmured.
"Sure, Commander," she said and followed the rest of them into the cantina.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Returning to Leia and Han's apartment, he stared longingly at the ships parked in the private landing bay. He needed some form of transport to help him keep his independence. He probably needed to get something bigger than an x-wing – the Jedi would need it - but he still wanted to replace the x-wing. Making a decision, Luke entered the turbo lift that transported him up to Leia and Han's home. He didn't have time to wait for the New Republic to give him a ship and it might not be a good idea to be too beholden to them. Besides, he had more than enough credits thanks to the legacy from his father.
Yes, tomorrow after his early morning meeting he would finally start getting on with the next part of his life. He would move into the apartment he was renting from Karrde and wait for Mara to return.
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