2

It's been a week since Mara had woken from her coma. Being strong in the force and with the help from Luke, her strength was just beginning to return. Therefore thinking she was strong enough to leave, she snuck out of the academy and made her way to the ship hangar to lift one of the ships there. She hated stealing from Luke but she had no choice. It was either stay here on Yavin IV or risk eventually getting caught by the authorities. She knew Luke promised not to tell Leia of her presence, but still Leia made frequent visits to the academy and Mara wanted as much space between her and the leader of the New Republic as possible.

Fighting dizziness, she made her way to the hangar and leaned against the door, wondering which ship to take. The corrilian cruiser seemed good enough. She wobbled over to the ship and was suddenly overcame with dizziness and accidentally letted her mental block down. She tried to stay on her feet, but her legs were too weak to hold her up. She leaned against the ship as she sank down to the ground and held her head in her hands. She didn't even notice Luke until he's by her side.

"Mara what in Sith's name are you doing?! You shouldn't be out here."

"Not so loud farmboy," She groans.

Luke shook his head and lifted her up in his arms. "Come on. I'll get you back to bed," He carried her out of the hangar and towards the sleeping quarters of the academy. "Really Mara, did you really think I wouldn't notice one of the ships gone if you were even able to make it?"

"I knew you'd notice. I was just hoping to be far away by then," Mara sighed. "Luke I can't stay. Leia will be here and she'll find me…"

"And like I said already, I'll shield your presence. Leia's not that strong in the force ok. With two of us putting up a block she won't notice a thing."

"But she'll know you're hiding something," Mara leaned back into the bed once they've reached the room. "Luke I have to go. I've been here way too long already."

Luke sighed. "Is my company so horrible that you'd rather risk a relapse than remain here until you're fully recovered?"

Mara looked at him in shock. He thought she didn't like him? That was impossible. He was the most kindest, gentlest, warmest, most wonderful man she had ever known. Luke was the only one who ever left her past in the past and gave her a brand-new start, no reservations at all. He trusted her completely when no one else would. And now, when he knew he'd be in trouble for harboring a fugitive, he was helping her. If she could she'd spend a lifetime in his presence, but she couldn't. They both knew that.

"Luke, you know perfectly well that's not the reason for me wanting to leave."

"Well what do you want Mara? I promised you I'd protect you until you were recovered and able to leave on your own, but you still insist on leaving."

"I want this whole thing to be over with! For that decision to be overturned so that I can go on with my life without having to be on the run, never having a real home! Damn you Luke Skywalker! You made me believe that I could finally have that, but your sister took care of that dream and now you're asking me to stay in a place she frequents!"

Luke bowed his head. "I'm sorry for Leia's hasty decisions. I've tried to talk to her, I'm still trying."

"And?"

Luke shook head, his face suddenly hardened. "Listen, no more escapades Mara. You're in no condition to even leave this building really. I'll strap you down to that bed if I have to."

Luke got up and headed for the door, but Mara stopped him. "You really are your father's son aren't you?"
Luke turned around, a weird expression in his eyes, one she has never seen before. Maybe it was a mistake bringing up his father. Luke's stormy blue eyes flashed as he moved towards her. She's taken off guard when she felt his lips tightly pressed against hers. She tried to resist,but he was so inviting, so determined that she gave in. She opened her mouth and their tongues explored each other.

She gasped for air as he pulled away, his mental block was down and all his turbulent feelings came swirling at her. She looked up at him, her eyes begging for more, but he didn't give in. He just turned and bolted from the room.

"Luke!" She tried to get up, but dizziness again overtook her. "Luke." She closed her eyes, remembering how warm and firm his lips were against hers. She inwardly cursed him and the force because now that she's tasted him, felt his kiss on her lips, how could she possibly walk away? How could she possibly leave the only man she's really loved? Her love for him was going to be the death of her, she just knew it.

*

Luke Skywalker sat in his dojo, wondering what had come over him. When Mara had made that crack about his father he was at first angry, but when he looked at her, that anger turned to irresistible passion. Passion he couldn't control. He strolled over to her and kissed her with every thing he had and was pleasantly surprised when she responded. That was when he came to his senses and pulled away. He didn't know what to say after that. He was mortified that he let things get so out of control. So he ran away, ignoring her calls for him to come back.

Luke sighed and buried his head in his hands. How was he going to let her go now? Let her fly out of his life and he'd never see her again? How was he expected to do that after experiencing such passion…a passion he had never felt before with anyone, including Callista.

"What am I doing?" He asked himself.

"That's what I want to know," Mara leaned against the doorframe keeping herself up.

Luke angrily glared at her and walked over to her. She tried to stand straighter but only succeeded in falling against him, causing him to wrap his arms around her to keep her standing. "You should be in bed. Not walking about."

"I had to see you…we have to talk about what happened just a few minutes ago," Mara sighed, letting Luke carry her back to his room.

"There's nothing to talk about. That kiss…didn't mean anything. You just made me mad that's all."

"And you kiss everyone you get angry with? Especially like that?" Mara crossed her arms looking at him skeptically.

Luke didn't answer. He just turned away from Mara and walked over to the big window looking out over the Yavin forest. He just stared out, afraid to answer the question.

"Yoda once said that passion is one of the things that the Jedi doesn't desire…but somehow I feel as if he was wrong. Because everytime I'm in your presence…there's nothing but passion."

"Passion? Is that all you feel for me? Passion and lust?" Mara examined her hand, wondering what had gotten into her. Since when had she ever been concerned about Luke's feelings for her and why was she hoping for something more from Luke when she knew perfectly well that it could never be. She was lucky that he felt that much for her.

"You know the answer to that. But you know that's all it can be. It'd be trouble for us both if it was anything else," Luke turned to her.

Mara nodded. "But I seem to draw trouble. I can't control it," Mara reached out for him and gently pressed her lips against his. She was so tired of fighting. She's been fighting these feelings for too long and it was time to just give in…even if it was just this one time. She loved Luke Skywalker and that was all there was to it.

(Mara stop. This isn't right) Luke touched her through the force.

(Yes it is. You know it and I know it. It's them that are wrong. That say we can't do this. We're human too Luke. It's not fair that we have to say no to our desires while everyone else has theirs.)

(Mara…stop…)

(I'm not forcing you Luke. If you want to stop then push me away. Don't just set there.)

Luke didn't answer. He didn't push away either. In fact, he pulled her closer, fully responding to the kiss.

(What happened to no no stop?) she teased.

(I was just being noble.)

She snaked her arm around his neck moving closer.

(If loving you is wrong. I don't want to be right.)

(Skywalker. Shut up. I hate that song.)

(Oh. Ok.)

(This is wonderful. I didn't know we were so connected. I guess this really is love)

Luke sighed inwardly. Of course it was. Lust didn't make people this connected through the force. Only love did that.

(Don't say it Mara. It'll only make it harder when you have to leave)

Mara pulled away. "You always know how to dampen a mood don't you skywalker?" Mara crossed her arms.

"It's a fact Mara. As much as I want you to, you can't stay here forever. You have to keep moving."

"Yeah yeah yeah," Mara leaned back on the bed and stared at the wall. "I'm always losing things I want most. Why should this be any different."

"You think I like it Mara? Do you think I like being in love with a fugitive from the law? To know that we can never really be together because the council is insisting on having you punished for past crimes! It's not fair to me either!"

(Luke.)

"What!" He yelled at Mara.

"What are you yelling at me for? I didn't say anything," Mara looked at him as if he's lost his mind.

(Luke? It's Leia. Are you all right?)

"Sithspawn," Luke cursed and slamed up his defenses around Mara, shielding her presence. (Leia hi. I'm fine. Where are you?)

(Landing. Han and the kids wanted to visit Uncle Luke. So I didn't see the harm in a little surprise visit.)

(Well you could have called. I don't even have any rooms prepared for you)

(Well get to it. We'll be there in another two hours)

(Ok. See you in two hours.)

"Who is it?" Mara asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach already telling her.

"Leia and Han. The kids wanted to visit Uncle Luke,"

Mara sat up alert.

"Don't worry I have my block up. Leia doesn't expect a thing."

"How long will they be here?"

"Probably a day. Just stay put ok. And stay quiet," Luke slipped out of the room to prepare for Leia's arrival.

"Great timing Madame President," Mara mumbled, continuing to look at the wall.