Chapter Twenty Five:

Mara woke to find herself in a small white room, her body somewhat stiff from not moving for too long. She simply lay still for a while, her eyes alone shifting about in an effort to figure out just where she was. As her mind continued to wake up along with her body, she became more aware of her state of being.

Her skin hurt, but not as it had before. Mara craned her neck to look down upon herself... and blinked to find her arms, legs, hands and feet covered in bacta patches.

Mara felt like her face was covered in some sort of paste, and she lifted a hand to touch it. She discovered specially formed patches meant to cover the areas of a human's face. Mara recalled only then the sandstorm she, Luke, Shiva and Thea had been hit by.

Mara shuddered at the memory, never wanting to relive that experience.

Her movements apparently drew the attention of another because a voice spoke from her right.

"Mara?"

She paused, surprised, and then craned her neck to see better around her patch-worked face. She knew that voice...

Sure enough, Anakin Skywalker sat in a chair between what Mara now saw was her own bed and a second; this one empty. As Mara's gaze rested on the elder Jedi, he smiled at her.

"It's good to see you awake, Mara," Anakin said warmly, coming closer.

Mara worked moisture into her mouth and, once she felt it was safe to speak, she opened her mouth. "What are you doing here?"

Anakin's smile turned wry at the double-meaning question, but only momentarily.

"The Kestans called the Jedi Temple when you and Luke arrived at the finished line in horrible condition," Anakin answered. "They didn't know how to tend to you, and so they asked the Jedi Temple to send help. I came with a Temple medic, and she has been tending to you."

Well, that explained the bacta, something Mara knew the Kestans didn't have. She was grateful for the more advanced medicine, and welcomed the way the bacta had healed her sand burns.

However, the mention of Luke brought her attention to the second bed. It was empty, but had Luke been in it at all?

"Where is Luke?" Mara asked, concerned at his unexplained absence. Maybe he had been taken to a different room for privacy's sake...

Anakin's countenance shifted, his happy air dampening. "He's currently in bacta submersion. The medic brought a mobile bacta tank when the Kestans showed us images of Luke's condition."

Mara's heart leapt into her throat and she tried to sit up. "Is he that bad off?"

Anakin moved to stop her, gently but firmly pushing Mara back into the bed. "Easy Mara..."

"Tell me about Luke!" Mara demanded, a bit sharper than she had intended. When Anakin paused, surprised, Mara turned repentant, looking away. "I'm sorry, Master Skywalker."

Anakin studied her for a moment, but then shook his head. "No, it's alright," he said softly. "Luke had worse sand burns than you did, though I don't know how."

Tears sprang to Mara's eyes, and she tried to wipe them away, but the bandages prevented her from doing so. "I know how..." she whispered.

Anakin lifted his brows, even more perplexed by her mannerisms. "Mara, it's not your fault that Luke's in the condition he is."

Mara shook her head, managing to look him in the eye. "You don't understand," she whispered hoarsely, still weeping. "He was protecting me from the sand... by shielding me with his own body."

Anakin's gaze widened and he seemed to take that in with a grain of salt; Mara could see the gears turning behind those blue eyes. He gazed openly upon her, his mind clearly at work. This went on for a long time in which Mara didn't try to hide how she felt before Anakin spoke again.

"He must truly love you, then." Anakin's voice was soft, gentle.

Mara nodded, still weeping. "I know... he told me he does."

Anakin's surprise was evident. "He said so?"

From anyone else, that would have been a challenge, but since Anakin knew full well Luke's history, Mara knew what he meant. He didn't doubt that Mara's claim was true: he was just shocked at the thought that Luke had let go of his past at last.

"Yes." Mara confirmed. "A few times, in fact."

Anakin sat down, taken aback. He had professed love for Mara? Really? Anakin snorted to himself. Of course he had known Luke felt something for Mara. Anakin was not obtuse: he could see how his son looked at Mara, even when Luke didn't realize he was doing it. He'd noticed the way Luke treated Mara and how he thought of her above himself more often than not...

Anakin was simply awed that Luke had finally let go of his heartache.

But Anakin was also proud of Luke. He was proud of his son for taking that step: for coming out of his shell. A father could have asked for noting more for his son in that moment.

He then eyed Mara again, thinking of the woman who held Luke's heart so completely that he'd risk his life for her. As he observed her weeping, Anakin felt his heart go out to Mara. He stood, grabbed a tissue and wiped at her eyes in a fatherly manner. He then met her gaze.

"Mara, do you love my son?" The question was simple, one any parent would ask of someone their child had admitted feelings for.

Mara looked him in the eye, letting Luke's father see her sincerity. "With all my heart."

Anakin held her gaze openly, gauging her before he smiled warmly. "Then I will not stand in your way. However, I..."

Mara held up a hand. "I know where you're going with this: the last thing I want is to hurt Luke. He's been through enough heartache. He won't ever get that from me."

Again he felt her honesty and Anakin dipped his head once. "Well then, I guess all I need to say is that I hope it works out."

Mara smiled in return. "Thank you."

Anakin patted her on the shoulder and sat back. "He should be out of the tank within the hour if all has gone well."

Mara frowned at him. "Why aren't you sitting with your son?"

Anakin looked to Mara. "I was concerned for you too. And I know Luke would not want for you to be alone."

Mara was touched. "Thank you Master Sky..."

Anakin sighed, waving for her to stop. "Please; we are not in a Council meeting. Call me Anakin."

Mara smirked. "Alright."

Anakin nodded his approval and they both shared a chuckle.

00000

Mara was alone when Luke was finally brought into the room. Anakin had been called away to speak with the Kestan leadership. The man hadn't wanted to miss his son, but duty had called, so Anakin went.

Mara's heart ached when she got a glimpse of the state of Luke's arms and legs. And she'd thought she hurt... Mara didn't get much of a look at him, though, because the three personnel who had come in with Luke got in the way.

Unable to do much else, Mara watched as the Jedi Healer oversaw the man in her care. She instructed the pair of Kestan nurses to carefully lift Luke from his stretcher into the bed. Mara saw that Luke's hair was still damp, indicating that he had not been out of the bacta tank for long. Once Luke's unconscious form was laid in bed, his limbs positioned for him, the Kestans departed and the Jedi Healer checked Luke's vitals.

Mara cleared her throat, and the Healer glanced to her. "How is he?"

The woman smiled gently. "He will be just fine. He's a Skywalker," she smirked, "I believe they have an extra stubborn streak that doesn't allow them to stay down for long."

Mara chuckled at the intended levity. "I think the medical wing in the Temple needs a room with the Skywalker name on it."

They again chuckled, though the medic turned her full attention to Luke after that so she could complete her scans. Once she was satisfied, she came over to Mara.

"What's your name?" Mara asked curiously before the woman could speak. She wasn't familiar with this Healer, who had short-cropped black hair and olive skin.

"I am Tola Sabta," the woman answered, her grey eyes smiling.

"Ah," Mara said. "Well, Tola, thank you for your help."

"It's been my pleasure, Mara. Now, I'd like to check your vitals if I may?" Tola held up her scanner, and Mara nodded, not resisting. The Jedi Healer took Mara's wrist and felt her pulse, then checked her blood pressure. As she moved through the various procedures, Mara kept stealing glances at Luke.

She could now see his arms as they rested above the blanket. They were still red and angry looking, even after bacta submersion.

Mara frowned at Tola. "If Luke spent time in bacta, why does he not look like it?"

The medic followed her glance, and then grimaced. "Trust me, if you'd seen him before, you would know how much of an improvement there has been."

Mara swallowed, recalling Anakin's similar reaction. She bit her lip. "May I see the holos of him before bacta?"

Tola hesitated. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Mara worried at her lip briefly, then came to a decision. "I need to see them please."

Tola was still uncertain. "Mara..."

Mara bit back her frustration and opted for something else. "If you won't show me I will find a way to get them. Please, Tola, I need to see. And please don't ask for an explanation."

Tola sighed deeply. "Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Mara nodded once, waiting patiently as Tola pulled up the images on her datapad. When Tola handed it over, Mara's eyes immediately welled up. Luke, having been the most exposed to the harsh, grating sand, had taken a far worse beating than Mara, who had been shielded by him. In the images, Luke's arms were so raw that in places it looked like someone had scooped away grooves in his flesh. He'd been bloody and dirty, even after his initial washing by the Kestans.

Mara couldn't help the tears that flowed down her cheeks, and she recalled Luke having also saved her from the stampede. If Mara had ever doubted before the veracity of Luke's love for her, she sure didn't now. She knew with utter clarity how deeply Luke loved her: he had proven it on more than one occasion.

What more could any woman ask for?

Mara eventually handed the datapad back. "Thank you."

Tola shook her head. "I shouldn't have let you see those. You're worse off now than before."

Mara frowned. "No. I had to know."

"Why?" Tola asked, clearly confused. "Why would you want to see any of that?"

A little defensive, Mara bristled. "Why would you?"

Tola lifted a brow. "I am a medic: that is my job," she said pointedly. "What's your reasoning?"

Mara deflated. "He saved my life, that's what."

Tola was still confused, but Mara didn't feel like explaining. "Please, just let it go. I will be fine."

Tola lifted a hand. "Alright. But if Master Skywalker lays into me..."

"Blame me," Mara cut her off. "He will understand."

Tola appeared to accept this and left.

Once Mara was sure she was gone and that no one would be coming back in, she made her way out of her bed. Mara shuffled to Luke's side, lifting the covers to peer at his body. He wore a pair of medical pants, but the rest of him was bare, except for a cast on his wrist where it had been broken. Mara knew that his legs would match his arms, but his torso was marked only where his outfit hadn't covered him.

Mara replaced the blanket and knelt beside Luke's bed, resting her head next to his on the bed.

"Oh Luke," Mara whispered to him. "I love you so, so much! I wish there was some way I could show you the depth of my love as you've shown me." Mara caressed his face with her fingertips. "Thank you, my dearest Luke."

She kissed his forehead, willing him to heal completely. She sent him her strength in the Force, not knowing if he'd sense it while unconscious. But she wanted to help him however she could.

She wanted for nothing more than to crawl into the bed and hold him, but Mara didn't want to hurt Luke while he was still healing. With a sigh, Mara kissed him again and returned to her own cot.

She lay facing Luke, simply watching the man she loved until she felt her eyes drooping. Mara had no idea— nor did she care how much time had passed— before she finally caved and slept.

00000

When Anakin returned to the room Mara occupied, he paused in surprise to see that Luke lay in the second bed. Anakin was disappointed that he had missed Luke being taken from the bacta tank, but he could still be there when his son woke up.

Anakin checked on Mara before he settled into his chair, noting how the red-head was deeply asleep again. He let her be, knowing it was her healing body calling her to rest.

The meeting with the Kestan leadership had gone well: Afkin and the others had agreed to allow a small group of delegates from the Republic's Senate to negotiate the terms of Keostea entering the Republic.

Anakin was not a politician, and so had withheld from making any promises to the Kestans. No, Anakin would leave that up to those who had the training for that job: let the politicians earn their keep.

But Anakin was exceedingly proud of both Luke and Mara for succeeding in their mission. Leader Afkin had highly praised both for their performances in the Wasaka Games, as well as how admirably the two had behaved themselves between events. Neither one had caused any trouble, they'd been nothing but respectful, and had even shown an interest in Kestan history.

Anakin had briefly met two other contestants, Shiva and Thea, who had been eager to hear news of the two humans. Anakin wondered about those two, and how they, unlike the other Kestans, seemed to have a keen interest in whether or not Luke and Mara would heal.

Anakin guessed there as more to the story than he knew, and wondered just what had occurred to make those two Kestans so... different from their fellows. Anakin didn't know how else to describe it, but even in the Force, there was something about Shiva and Thea that marked them as unique.

Shrugging, Anakin returned to the present, eyeing his son and noting the much improved condition of his skin. Luke would likely have a new set of scars after his ordeal in the Games, though Anakin knew that wouldn't bother his son.

Anakin glanced to Mara, contemplating again the obvious development between his son and the woman. Mara was a perfect fit for Luke, if Anakin's opinion counted. Mara complemented Luke so completely; they fit together like a pair of gears.

Anakin wondered just how far their relationship had developed. Luke had admitted to loving Mara, but what was next? Would they simply start dating openly, or would Luke take a much more permanent step? Would his family be planning another wedding in the near future?

Anakin would be more than happy to call Mara family by name, but he would not rush his son. Nor would he hassle Mara. As Anakin had said before, he would not get in the way. If it was meant to be, then it would happen, Anakin knew.

Anakin settled in to wait for when Luke would wake, and he had just begun reading on his datapad when Luke stirred. Surprised, Anakin put the 'pad back in his pocket and leaned forward, watching to see if Luke would open his eyes.

A few moments passed and nothing happened, making Anakin think it had just been a fluke. But then Luke's head shifted upon the pillow, his face moving away from Anakin. Feeling his hopes rise; Anakin did his best to remain patient.

Luke's chest heaved mildly as he took a deep breath, and then his arms lifted ever-so-slightly, and Luke's head shifted to be partially again. Anakin watched with baited breath as, at long last, Luke's eyelids fluttered.

When the man's eyes opened fully, Anakin smiled widely, thanking the Force. "Luke?"

Luke's surprise wafted over to Anakin in the Force, and his head turned toward the sound of his father's voice. When Luke laid eyes on Anakin, the younger man smiled widely.

"Dad!" Luke croaked.

Anakin laughed shakily and shifted forward so he could be closer to his boy. "I'm happy to see you too, Son."

Luke lifted his arms, trying to reach Anakin. Seeing this, Anakin moved to give Luke the hug he was asking for. Luke's joy at seeing his father was deep, and he clung to Anakin openly.

"When did you arrive?" Luke asked when they broke apart.

"A few days ago," Anakin answered, watching as Luke's eyes widened.

"How long have I been out of it?" Luke asked, shocked.

"Well, you've been unconcious since the end of the Games." Anakin told Luke.

"And how long has that been?" Luke was wary.

"I think this is day four." Anakin did the mental math to be certain he was correct, then nodded. "Yeah, four days."

"Oh," Luke said softly, eyeing his father. "Did we finish our mission then?"

Anakin nodded again. "Indeed you did. You and Mara did very well, Luke. I'm so proud of you."

Luke smiled briefly, but then caught sight of the bed behind his father. Luke's gaze clouded with worry, and shifted from Mara to Anakin. "Is Mara going to be okay?"

Anakin nodded, laying a placating hand on Luke's arm. "She is just fine: just sleeping. She was awake earlier and asking about you."

Luke relaxed. "Oh, I'm glad she's doing well." Then he smiled gently to himself, and Anakin was reminded of what Mara had said.

Anakin cleared his throat gently, bringing Luke's attention back to him. "Mara told me what you did for her in the sandstorm, Luke."

Luke didn't shrink. "Of course I'd protect her."

Anakin smiled. "I know."

Luke blinked at Anakin. "You do?"

Anakin's smile grew. "Yes. I know what it's like to love a woman so completely that you'd do anything for her. Literally anything."

Luke gazed at Anakin, not denying, but clearly wondering how his father knew he loved Mara. Anakin chuckled lightly.

"Luke, I could tell long before now that you loved Mara. Your mother and I both knew." When Luke's countenance fell a little, Anakin shook his head, using a finger to tip Luke's chin up. "Hey, you did things the way you had to. No one is begrudging you that, Son."

Luke nodded, grateful for Anakin's support. "I did. But it wasn't just about entrusting my heart to Mara."

At Anakin's questioning look, Luke tuned his gaze away. "I... I was so mad at myself for... for marrying so young. I was stupid, and I hated that fact."

Anakin pondered what Luke said before he spoke. "Luke, you shouldn't have beaten yourself up over that."

Luke thinned his lips. "Well, I did." He turned back around, his eyes softening as they landed upon the redhead. "But Mara helped me through all that. I've made peace with my past. Entirely."

Anakin gauged his son in the Force, sensed how he spoke the truth, and accepted Luke's declaration. "I'm happy to hear it. And I'm glad that you and Mara are doing so well."

Luke smiled toothily. "She's amazing Dad."

Anakin's heart lightened to see his son so obviously happy. "I'm sure she is, Luke."

Luke beamed, but his body seemed to think that he'd had enough chit-chat and needed food, because his stomach gurgled loudly. Blushing, Luke shrugged while Anakin laughed, rising to get Luke a meal.

"I'll be back."

"Dad?" Luke's voice stopped Anakin at the door.

He looked back at his son. "Yes Luke?"

"Thank you," Luke murmured, "for never judging me and for always being there for me when I needed you."

Anakin smiled warmly. "Of course. You are my son, and I love you."

Luke's love flowed freely between them. "I love you too, Dad."