CHAPTER NINE
Four years later…
Earth
It's been five years since Luke and Mara's escape from Yavin IV and four years since the birth of the twins. Luke and Mara's life had been lived in peace and love with their children. Their thoughts often roamed to family and friends, but Han was the only one they dared to keep in contact with, the rest…they haven's seen for five years. Luke especially wondered about his niece and nephews and how they were coming along in the force. According to Han Jacen and Jaina were just about ready to enter the academy that was still flourishing with new Jedi. Luke just wished he could be there to watch what he began grow, but he didn't regret a day he spent with Mara and the children.
It was a Monday and Luke had just gotten back from a run through the neighborhood. He of course was an airplane pilot, the closest he could get to soaring the sky without going into space, something he missed deeply. He was tempted a couple of times to take out his x-wing, but knew it would be too risky. He collapsed on the couch, emotionally tired, and physically worn out. For the past couple of months he has felt rather ill, but had brushed it off as what the Earthlings call the touch of the flu or as just being worn out. He always felt better after a couple of healing trances, but the symptoms always came back. Sometimes worse than before. Mara had expressed her concern, but he always shrugged it off. He didn't want her or the children to worry.
"Daddy!" The children race into the room and fling themselves into their father's waiting arms.
"Hey there!" He hugs both children closely. "Have you two been watching after your mother?"
"Yes! Daddy look what I can do!" Ben turned and reached out his hand towards the cocktail table setting in middle of the floor. A couple of minutes later it's floating in midair.
"Very good," Luke applauded. "But remember children, be very careful when you use the force. The people here are superstitious and won't like to know that you two can do what they can't. Ok?"
The twins nodded in grim understanding.
"Forever the Jedi master," Mara rolled her eyes as she entered the room. "Can't you ever give it a break?"
"Not when my children's powers are developing so rapidly," Luke attempted a laugh, but it turned into a harsh and ragged cough that made his chest burn horribly.
"Luke are you ok?" Mara asked. She rushed to his side and laid a cool hand on his shoulder. He tried to reply, but ends up coughing again.
Finally the coughing fit ended and he leaned his head back against the couch, the world was spinning and his chest was burning even worse than before. "I don't feel too good."
"Sith," Mara cursed as she felt his head. "You're burning up. I'll get the doctor."
"Mara no. I'm fine. I'll just go into a healing trance and…"
"Luke you've done that before and the symptoms come back worse than before. This could be some kind of illness that the force can't fix. I'm calling the doctor and that's that."
Luke just sighed irritably and closed his eyes, trying to get more comfortable. There was no use arguing with Mara. She always got her way anyway.
"You have an appointment tomorrow afternoon Luke," Mara turned around to find her husband sleeping.
"Daddy tired," Amidala glanced at her father as her and her brother played with their toys in middle of the room.
Two hours later, Luke awakens feeling like he got ran over by a landspeeder. He groaned as he got to his feet and quickly gripped the edge of the couch as another wave of dizziness hit him. What was wrong with him? Unbeknownst to Mara, he had tried a healing trance while he was asleep but that seemed to make it worse. His stomach churned at the smell of cooking food from the kitchen.
"Mara?" He called, stumbling into the kitchen to find her stirring a bubbling pot of sauce.
"You awake?" She looks at him.
"Mara…I…"
"Luke!" She screamed as he collapsed to the floor, unconscious to the world.
Hospital waiting room
Mara paced the floor as she awaited news on Luke's condition. It's been five hours now; tons of tests have been run. So what was taking so long for the doctor to get back to her.
"Mrs. Skywalker?" Luke's doctor steps out into the room. "May we see you for a minute. There's something we have to tell you."
"Ok. What's wrong with my husband?" Mara got right to the point. There was never any need to beat behind the bush. Luke was sick and she wanted to know how to make him better.
"Well…let's see. Your husband has a condition called Kilroy Disease."
"What? What is that?" Mara didn't like the sound of this at all.
"It's a disease that eats away at the bone marrow and blood cells. It can be very deadly if the proper steps aren't taken," The doctor glanced at the chart.
"But it is curable right?"
"Oh of course. All your husband needs is a transplant from a sibling. He does have siblings doesn't he?"
The galaxy was closing in on Mara at last. She knew that the quiet little life she shared with Luke was too good to last forever. She was just hoping it'd wait a little while longer.
"Yes. He has a twin sister."
"Perfect! We suggest you get in touch with this sister right away."
"How long do we have?" Mara asked, all life gone from her voice.
"Five months at the most. So I suggest you get her here as soon as possible," The doctor nods. "We'll keep Luke here and keep record of his condition."
"Thank you doctor. May I see him now please?"
"Of course," The doctor nodded, motioning for her to follow him.
Luke was wide-awake when Mara arrived. He smiled slightly when she entered. He of course was a little embarrassed to have fainted in front of her. He didn't want to scare her or anything.
"Hey there flyboy," Mara smiled sadly, knowing that he would object to what she was about to do. But she had no choice. He'd die if he didn't get that transplant.
"Hi there Jade," He weakly smiled. "I'm sorry for all this trouble I'm causing."
"No apology necessary flyboy. So did the doctor tell you the diagnosis or do I have to?"
Luke shrugged. "I know nothing. So what's the deal here?"
Mara ran a hand through his hair, loving its softness. "Well…you have this rare disease called Kilroy's disease. It's attacking your bone marrow and blood cells. It's curable, but you're going to need a transplant from your sister in order to survive."
Mara's heart stopped as all the color left in Luke's face drained away. The life went out of his blue eyes.
"Well I guess we'll have to make the proper arrangements," He stuttered. He had never thought his life would end like this…just when it had gotten started.
"Yeah, I take your x-wing and go get Leia," Mara sighed, looking away from him. They both knew that her contacting Leia meant her death and Luke wasn't having any of it. He quickly grabbed her wrist.
"No! You can't Mara! They'll arrest you and have you executed before you even land."
"I'll have Han meet me."
"No Mara no. Please our children need you. I need you to live please don't contact Leia."
"Luke we have no choice. Without that transplant, you'll die. Besides, the children need you more than me. You're the Jedi master, the only one who can teach them how to properly use the force."
Luke frantically shook his head. "No Mara. No please, don't tell Leia. Promise me please…"
Tears trek down her face as she laid a cool hand on his burning forehead. "Go to sleep farmboy. It's going to be a long couple of months."
"Mara," Luke tried to fight off the trance she was putting him under, but he was too weak. He fell asleep instantly.
"Don't worry Luke. By time you awaken, it'll be all over," Mara kissed him gently and left the room. She headed back to the x-wing to get in touch with Han, to tell him to be waiting for her. Despite Luke's pleas and the fact she was still a wanted woman, she was going to go back to coruscant and bring back what Luke needed to live.
*
One month later…
Coruscant…
Han waited at the space station, waiting for Mara to show up. He had told the officials that it was a relative he was meeting and gave her a secret code to use so she could do what she had to before being arrested. He glanced at the watch impatiently.
"Good you're here," Mara greeted him, coming from the landing bay.
"Ok Jade, tell me what this is about and why you decided to risk your life to come here. Luke can't be happy about this."
Mara sighed. This wasn't easy. But she had to do it. She just hoped that Leia would give her a chance to say good-bye to Luke and the children. "It's Luke Han. He's very sick. He needs a transplant from his sister and if he doesn't get that he'll die."
"What! The kid's dying?!"
"Basically yes, unless he gets the transplant from Leia," Mara fought back the tears. She hasn't cried yet and she wasn't going to start now.
Han was stunned. Luke Skywalker, Jedi master/brother/best friend, dying. It wasn't fair. Luke was too young. He was a father for goodness sake, his children needed him heck the Universe needed him! "Does Luke know you're here?"
"He does now. He didn't want me to come. He rather die than have me caught and executed. But Han I can't let him die. His life is more important than mine. You and I both know that. Plus more people would mourn his passing than they would mine."
"Luke will mourn. So will your children."
"I know. I just hope and pray that Leia has a heart and let me see them one more time before they execute me," Mara wiped away a tear that had gotten away.
"She just might. Leia's cooled down over the past four years. In fact, she's dropped those kidnapping charges on you."
Mara's eyes widened with hope. "Do you think she'd drop the other charges?"
Han sadly shook his head. "She wanted to, but it's out of her hands. The council wants your head and they want it as soon as possible."
"Oh. I thought so."
"But hey, maybe she can wrangle a chance to say good-bye. For Luke's sake if nothing else."
Mara nodded. "Maybe, but I somehow doubt it. Well come on Solo. Let's get this over with. Besides, the sooner Leia gets to Earth, the sooner Luke gets better."
*
Han and Mara stood outside Leia's quarters. Mara raises her hand to ring the bell when Han grabbed it.
"Listen, I know this is hard for you. But I want to thank you on both Leia's behalf and mine. I know that you're placing Luke before yourself and it's appreciated."
Tears spring to Mara's eyes. "Thank you. Now can we go in now?"
"Sure. I'll use my key instead of ringing the bell," Han smiled unlocking the door.
"Daddy!" The children come colliding into their father. "Daddy's home!"
"Ok ok! Let me go!" Han laughed. "Where's your mom."
"Right here," Leia appeared in the doorway leading to her private chambers. "Have you decided to come back…Mara."
"Hello Leia," Mara kept her voice cool and aloof. She didn't want to show any signs of fear. "It's good to see you."
"I bet," Leia crossed her arms. "Luke with you?"
Han stepped between the women. "That's why we're here. Leia…Luke needs your help. You see…"
"He's sick and he'll die if he doesn't get a transplant. But the only person that can give him the transplant is you. His sister," Mara spoke up. "Listen, I know you probably hate my guts right now, I don't blame you. Your brother ran off with me and it's been years since you've seen him or his kids. But I'm here against Luke's wishes so he won't die. Please Leia…save him."
Leia's face was pale, her eyes wide in shock. Her twin sick. Of course she knew. She's felt that all wasn't well with Luke for the past couple of months. Now here Mara Jade was confirming her fears. "Of course I'll save him. Where is he?"
"Earth…the hospital. Han knows where it is," Mara bowed her head. "I'm sorry Leia. I'm so sorry that I was the cause of your separation. Believe me when I say that I love your brother with my whole heart and only want what's best for him."
Leia nodded. "I see that. But unfortunately, it's my duty to turn you in Mara. I'm sorry…I wish it didn't have to be this way but…"
"I know. I'm fully prepared for my execution. But can I ask one thing of you. Allow me to say good-bye to Luke and our children before the sentence is carried out? Please."
Leia sighed. "I'll see what I can do. But I can't make any promises," Leia switched on her comlink. "Yes this is Leia Organa Solo. I have the fugitive Mara Jade here ready for her arrest. Please hurry since I'll be leaving the planet soon."
"Are you ok?" Han glanced at Mara, who was strangely silent and pale.
"Fine. Tell Luke I love him. And that he's in my heart."
"I will. Anything you want me to tell the kids?"
Mara shook her head, not able to think of anything. "Just tell them their daddy will be well soon.
"Madame President we got a report of a fugitive?" Agent Carmicheal enters the quarters, two other officers stood behind him.
"Yes Agent Carmicheal. Mara Jade has turned herself in. Please hold off on her execution until I return," Leia nodded.
"Yes Madame President," The agent motioned for his companions to take Mara into custody.
"I truly am sorry about this Mara. But I have no choice."
"I know. Just take care of Luke," Mara nodded before the agents took her away.
"Han…" Leia looked at her husband. "I'm sorry…"
"I know Leia. Let's just get to Luke before he gets any worse," Han escorts Leia out of the quarters to the Millenium Falcon.