Entry 67

We went back to his room and I allowed him to change in privacy. He came out of the 'fresher wearing tan cargo shorts and an untucked button up tunic. I looked him up and down and smiled. "You look nice."

He grinned happily. "So what do you want to do today?"

I sat down on his sitting area couch and patted the seat next to me, inviting him over. He sat down next to me and leaned in for a kiss, but I stopped him. "Before we start this relationship experiment I think we need some ground rules."

He looked disappointed, but he nodded in agreement.

"First of all," I said adamantly. "Don't tell me any actionable intelligence that you don't want the Empire to know about. I don't want to find myself in a position where I have to choose between loyalty to my government and my friendship to you." I gestured toward him. "And I will do the same. I am not going to tell you any Imperial secrets."

He nodded. "Okay. That sounds reasonable."

I gave a slight shake of my head. "Before you agree you need to realize this means there will always be secrets between us…always. There are things about my job and about me that I can never tell you. Can you handle that? Most people in relationships want total transparency and you are never going to have that as long as I work for the Empire and you are with the New Republic. This can put a strain on the relationship. Can you cope with the secrecy?"

He sighed deeply. "That does sound difficult." He gave me an uneasy look. "Can we make one exception in that rule?"

My eyes narrowed. "What?"

"If the treaty fails, would you tell me if me or my family were in danger?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean from me?"

A sad smile crossed his face. "I would hope you wouldn't accept an assignment to kill me. I mean if the empire decided to assassinate me or my family?"

I thought about it for a long pause. "Would you do that same for me?"

"Yes, of course."

I blew out a long breath. "Yes, I would give you a warning." I smiled tenderly. "And you're right, I wouldn't accept an assignment to kill you…unless I find out you had been playing hide the lightsaber with Specialist Tommins all along."

He let out a soft husky laugh before leaning in to kiss me soundly. "No need to assassinate me, then," he said as he pulled away for a breath. "You are the only person I allow to handle my lightsaber."

I was going to say that was the worst pickup line I have ever heard, but he pressed his lips against mine, ending all conversation.

Entry 68

The remainder of the day was fantastic. We did some sightseeing, had dinner and then went dancing. I had intended on getting a room at the hotel, but I was informed that all the hotel rooms in a one hundred kilometer radius were booked minutes after the date and location of the New Republic Capital dedication ceremony was released.

Of course, Skywalker was the consummate gentleman and offered me his bed stating he would sleep on the couch. Since I consider myself a courteous guest, I offered to sleep on the couch. After a few drinks and more intimate conversation we decided it was a pointless discussion…we all knew where we would end up sleeping at the end of the day.

Entry 69

I woke up the next morning exhausted from the night's activities, but feeling warm and more content that I can ever remember. I rolled over in bed and admired the sleeping Jedi next to me. He was curved beside me, facing away, his sheets disheveled and barely concealing the most perfect backside I have ever seen on a man. The sight of him made my heart pound and my mind dizzy with emotions.

Last night was special…very special. It wasn't the sex…although that was great, but it was this incredible feeling of emotional closeness. I was sure it was something to do with the Force. I have heard of bonding between Force users before, but I never thought I would ever experience it. It was almost frightening in its intensity. I was certain he could see into my soul and I actively worked to compartmentalize and hide away my previous life. I trust Luke not to tell people I'm really Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand…but what if somebody captured him…someone like General Iwanuk? The General could possibly tear that information out of Skywalker's mind. No, it was too dangerous. The Moffs would kill me for sure. That is one detail of my life that I am determined to keep secret.

I began to worry about what Skywalker could have possibly gleaned from me during our emotional and spiritual bonding. The Emperor did awful things to him. If he discovered my past close association with the Sith Lord would he leave me in disgust? He accepts that I was an Inquisitor, but if he knew that Palpatine himself could pop into my head at any time and give me commands would that skew his perception of me? Was that more than he could tolerate?

The Jedi must have sensed my anxious musings. He stirred and then rolled over to gaze as me with a worried expression. "You aren't having second thoughts, are you?"

I gave him a reassuring smile. "No. I was worried about you reconsidering the relationship."

He reached out and pulled me into his arms. "Never. I never knew I could feel so much passion." He cupped my cheek with his palm before leaning in and pressing a kiss against the pulse of my neck. "I love you."

His admission caught me by surprise. I had intense feelings for him, but I wasn't ready to make declarations of love.

"Hey," he whispered as he brushed a lock of hair away from my eyes. "I don't expect you to say the words yet. I know you are conflicted. We have plenty of time to work on this relationship."

I relaxed with a smile. "Thank you."

I leaned in to return the kiss but was interrupted by the buzzing of his comlink. Skywalker looked at the wall chrono and sighed. "It's mid-morning. I guess I can't expect to sleep in to noon." He reached to the bedside table and grabbed his comlink. "It's probably my sister wanting me to meet some dignitary."

"Say hi to her for me," I said sarcastically knowing my shy farmboy would be mortified if his sister knew I was lying in bed next to him.

He gave me a mock look of warning before he keyed the microphone. "Skywalker here."

"Hey Luke," said a very male and slightly familiar voice. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Hello Wes," the Jedi said as he rolled over on his back. "No, I'm just lying in bed. What can I do for you?"

"You have already done for me more than you can possibly image," the man said with a chuckle. "Damn that Candi Steel is one Imperial vixen. She had me up all night pumping me for information…if you know what I mean." I imagined the man thrusting his hips and winking at his comlink while made that comment. "I can see why you are hot for that Imperial Captain. If I knew Imperial women were so frisky in the sack I would have defected years ago."

Luke blushed deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "That's nice Wes…um…just remember not to give her any real intelligence."

"Of course not. Playing women and telling fanciful stories are my specialty. Just like Candi's bedroom specialty is…"

"Stop!" Skywalker shouted out. "Please Wes, I don't need to hear the salacious details."

"That's your loss because I have some red hot indecent details. Hell, I told Hobbie about last night and he thinks I'm exaggerating. It was that kriff'n unbelievably hot!"

"That's great," Luke said curtly. "I'm signing off now."

"Wait! Wait," Wes interjected. "Just tell me if one thing Candi said is true. According to Candi, you two never hooked up because you're going to be a celibate Jedi Master. Is that true?"

I couldn't help it. I laughed at that remark.

Skywalker turned to me and frowned.

There was a long pause before Wes spoke again. "Sorry Luke…you're not alone, are you?"

"No," the Jedi admitted.

When Wes spoke again I could hear the mirth in his voice. "I guess that answers my question about celibacy."

"Goodbye Wes," Luke said while turning off his comlink. He heaved a deep sigh before smiling apologetically. "Sorry about his comments."

I turned to my side and ran a finger down his chest. "Are you apologizing for him saying you are hot for an Imperial Captain or his assumption that all Imperial women are awesome in bed?"

He reached over and placed a hand on my hip. "I'm sorry about all the sexual conquest talk. I'm not one to participate in that nonsense and the only reason Wes contacted me was because I arranged for him to meet Candi." A smirk crossed his face. "Who is obviously a very dedicated and extremely hypersexual Imperial spy." He pulled me closer until I was pressed against his chest. "How long before you have to head back home?"

"Six more days," I whispered in his ear.

He looked sad as he caressed me tenderly. "Then I guess we shouldn't waste time talking." He ran his warm smooth hands down my back as he molded his rock hard body to mine.

"Yes," I whispered hoarsely. "No more talking."